First of all a thank you is in order for Novak Djokovic. No, not for beating Rafael Nadal in the longest ever Grand Slam final but for pushing the Spaniard to become an even better player than he was even when he was winning everything.

Rafael Nadal said the Australian Open final was one of the best losses of his career after he went down fighting in a six-hour epic against Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic tore off his shirt, flexed his sinewy muscles and roared in celebration, but for once the machismo was not misplaced.

Strutting, chest-thumping Novak Djokovic last year produced one of the greatest seasons in tennis history, and he has signalled his intent for 2012 with an astonishing Australian Open win.

Novak Djokovic ripped off his shirt and let out a primal scream, flexing his torso the way a prize fighter would after a desperate, last-round knockout.

A second title eluded Leander Paes at this year's Australian Open as he and Elena Vesnina ended runners-up in the mixed doubles event after being outplayed by Horia Tecau and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the summit clash at Melbourne on Sunday.

The Indian tennis fraternity on Saturday lauded Leander Paes for winning a Grand Slam title at the age of 38 and described him as a "born doubles player".

President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday congratulated Belarusian tennis star Victoria Azarenka on winning the Australian Open, saying the whole country was proud of her achievement.

Veteran star Leander Paes on Saturday created history by becoming the first Indian to complete a career Grand Slam after winning the Australian Open men's doubles title with Radek Stepanek.

Victoria Azarenka won her first grand slam title and became the new world number one when she thrashed a disappointing Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final on Saturday.