Djokovic in dreamland

A bleary eyed Novak Djokovic paraded his Australian Open trophy just 12 hours after playing in one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.

The world number one beat Rafael Nadal in the longest grand slam final on record, with five hours and fifty-three minutes of brutal tennis being played out in Melbourne.

Both men looked out on their feet as they continued to slug it out well into the early hours but if anything the game grew in intensity and quality as it progressed.

Djokovic became just the fifth man to win three grand slam titles in a row with his victory in Melbourne, and many believe it was the greatest match ever played.

The Serbian star staggered around with his trophy on Monday in Melbourne, and despite a sleepless night he said both he and Nadal should be proud of their efforts.

"I slept for only a couple of hours but it was worth it," said Djokovic. "It really was something, what we both put in on the tennis court was incredible and it's something we'll both remember forever."

Djokovic was left in no doubt that it was the greatest match he had ever played in his career, especially with such an epic coming against such an opponent on such a big stage.

"I think it's, under the circumstance, definitely the greatest match I've ever played," he added.

"The match could have gone either way, it was a match lasting nearly six hours and adding to all that is a grand slam final and a win against my biggest rival."

Djokovic will now take some time off and eventually head off to Pairs for the next slam at the French Open, when a win would see him hold all four major titles at the same time.