By Kamakshi Tandon 

The Djokovic family - father Grdjan (left), mother Dijana (second left), Marko (right), Djordje (bottom) - celebrate Novak's (center) first Grand Slam title.                        © Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

His 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over surprise finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open also makes him the 50th man to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. But in a more modern context, it’s more significant that he’s the first Grand Slam winner in three years not named Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.

The 20-year-old Djokovic has been hailed as the prime candidate to break the Federer-Nadal stranglehold on the men’s game ever since he beat thr world's top two on his way to winning the Montreal Masters last summer. His shockingly routine victory over Federer in the semifinals and defeat of Nadal’s conqueror Tsonga in the final in Melbourne made good on that promise.

“It’s probably an undescribable feeling, something that I always dreamed of.” said Djokovic afterwards. “It’s my first Grand Slam. I'm very happy for that. I'm going to take it easy, I'm not going to try to think about reaching even higher goals right away. I'm not in a rush. I want to enjoy in my success and just celebrate with the people I care about.”

While Djokovic leaves Melbourne as a new heavyweight of the men’s game, Tsonga leaves with a spot in the top 20 and a place in the hearts of the Australian public – much like his juniors rival Marcos Baghdatis did two years ago with his underdog run to the final. Tsonga’s stirring play, his resemblance to Muhammad Ali and his emotional celebrations after winning made him a popular figure Down Under.

“I don't know if I have to be sad or happy of this final, but I feel great,” he said. “The crowd was unbelievable. A lot of noise and everything. I had frisson [goosebumps].”

Tsonga defeated a string of seeded players – Nadal, Michael Youzhny, Richard Gasquet and Andy Murray – on his way to the final and said his run gives him the belief that he can crack the top 10.

“Not everybody can beat the players who I beat,” said Tsonga. “And I did it, so of course, I'm confident now.”

Djokovic, who ribbed the crowd for being in Federer’s favor after the semifinal, again found the stadium cheering for his opponent on Sunday.

“This is something that you got to fight against, you know, just try to keep your head in the match,” said Djokovic afterwards. “In one way, it's okay, it's understandable. Everybody has a right to decide who they’re going to cheer for He's an attractive player. You know, he's a young one. He's unseeded coming to the finals. Obviously, they wanted to support him.”

The outgoing Djokovic has been nicknamed “The Djoker” for his quick wit and spot-on impersonations of his fellow pros, but his self-confidence and plain speaking occasionally run him into trouble.

Still, the third seed did have his vociferous family and the Serbian fans behind him. “I think they were screaming incredibly throughout all the match and really helped me out,” he said.

His parents and two younger tennis-playing brothers have been present all tournament, providing a rare opportunity for the family to be together and rent and apartment rather than staying in a hotel. They hung on every point during Sunday’s contest, as did Tsonga’s quieter parents, who had flown in from France after his semifinal win.

The prime question going into the final was whether Tsonga could produce the staggering tennis he had shown in the semifinals, and for the first set it looked like he might come close. The two exchanged breaks to begin the match and stayed on serve until the tenth game amongst a slew of scintillating rallies. With Djokovic serving to stay on the set at 4-5, 30-30, Tsonga produced a huge forehand passing shot and magnificent forehand lob to suddenly pocket the first set – the first points Djokovic had lost at net since the match began.

The weight of the match was suddenly all on the favorite and both Djokovic and his box appeared to be feeling the pressure. “He was obviously a better player in that first set,” said Djokovic. “Probably today I was a bit nervous on the start because I found myself in the strange situation  that I am the favorite in the finals of a Grand Slam, which is not usual for me.”

While Tsonga’s surperb defense forced an antsy Djokovic to win points two of three times over, the Serb’s spirited father argued with security officials, seemingly over the presence of French fans a few rows behind.

But at 3-3, a huge backhand return winner set Djokovic up for the break, and he navigated a shaky service game to consolidate his lead and eventually take the set.

“He was really aggressive, going for the shots since the start. That's where I really needed to calm down and really try to keep my focus,” said Djokovic. I knew that I'm playing against a big server, and I have to wait for my chances.”

Djokovic was clearly in the ascendancy during the third set, extending rallies longer and drawing more errors as Tsonga began to sag under the emotional weight of the occasion. But the end was still a struggle: despite suffering from leg cramps that affected his serve, the Frenchman saved six set points – three by serving and volleying – before his previously-strong forehand wing let him down.

Djokovic also appeared to be hurting early in the fourth after chasing down a dropshot in the fourth game. He called the trainer on the next changeover and later said his hamstring was troubling him. “I knew that soreness was getting me,” he told Australian television. “I had to focus on being consistent, not being nervous, not giving negative emotion.”

His resolve was also being tested by the Australian crowd, which was now firmly in Tsonga’s corner. Despite the wild cheers ringing out for every point his opponent won, Djokovic held off a break point to reach 5-5 and then stayed steady as Tsonga made error after error in the tiebreak.

As Tsonga’s last shot flew wide, Djokovic dropped to the ground and clutched his hair. “I fell down and I was relieved and so happy. I even couldn't show my emotions because of the momentum,” he said.

Whatever had gone before, the crowd applauded his victory and post-match speech loudly. Djokovic thanked his supporters and then turned to praise his opponent. “If he won tonight it would have been absolutely deserved,” said Djokovic. “And I know the crowd wanted him to win more.”

All the good work appeared undone – until he added, “It’s all right. I still love you guys, don’t worry.”

The latest member of tennis’ Grand Slam royalty, it seems, is a clown prince.