MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic was trying to explain to the television studio hosts how he managed to tie two Australian legends with his 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory against Andy Murray in the Australian Open final. But he could not hear himself think.
Below the makeshift broadcasting studios on the Melbourne Park grounds, a large group of fellow Serbians had broken into song.
“They’re saying ‘We Love You’ in Serbian,” Djokovic said sheepishly.
For one piquant mix of people in this country’s melting pot, Australia Day last Tuesday was not the only time during the tournament set aside for nationalistic revelry.