World No.1 Novak Djokovic is eyeing sporting immortality
following his heroic Australian Open final triumph over Rafael
Nadal.

First it was Roger Federer, then Nadal but now that he's taken
the game to extraordinary new levels, it's the all-conquering
Djokovic looking to join Rod Laver in the most exclusive club
in tennis.

Serbia's tennis super-Novak will head to the French Open in May
striving to become only the second player in the 45-year open
era - and just the third in history - to have held all four
grand slam men's singles trophies simultaneously.

'I want to get my first final at least in Paris. I have never
been in finals there and I have a feeling that I'm ready this
year to achieve that,' Djokovic said after denying Nadal 5-7
6-4 6-2 6-7 (7-5) 7-5 in the longest men's grand slam final in
history.

The brutal five hour, 53 minute encounter - which started
before 8pm on Sunday and finished at 1.37am on Monday -
eclipsed Mats Wilander's four hour, 54 minute win over Ivan
Lendl in the 1988 US Open final.

It was also the longest match in Australian Open history,
surpassing Nadal's five hour, 14 minute semi-final win in 2009
over countryman Fernando Verdasco, and left both combatants
almost out on their feet at Rod Laver Arena.

'The fact that we played almost six hours is incredible,
incredible,' Djokovic said.

'It was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the
match that both of us, physically, we took the last drop of
energy that we had from our bodies.

'It's probably the longest finals in the history of all grand
slams - and just to hear that fact is making me cry, really.

'I'm very proud just to be part of this history.'

But still he wants more.

'I'm prioritising grand slams this year, as every year, and
Olympic Games. I think that's one of my highest goals,'
Djokovic said.

'The grand slams matter the most.'

Djokovic's latest triumph over Nadal, from a service break down
in the fifth and deciding set, placed the 24-year-old alongside
his vanquished Spanish foe and fellow all-time greats Federer,
Pete Sampras and Laver as only the fifth man in professional
tennis to win three consecutive majors.

And after thwarting Nadal for a seventh straight time in nine
phenomenal months, Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros also
hoping to become the first man since Donald Budge in 1937-38 to
complete a non-calendar year grand slam sweep.

The Serb vowed to do whatever it takes to repeat, if not
exceed, what he achieved during his mighty 2011 season when he
landed 10 titles, including his three slams, and snared the top
ranking for the first time with victory over Nadal at
Wimbledon.

'I'm going to have some weeks off now and I'm going to try to
enjoy this victory as much as I can,' Djokovic said.

'Then back to office, back to work, preparation. There is much
that awaits for me.'

Djokovic's 14th success over Nadal in the 30th instalment of
their enthralling series earned him a fifth career major,
elevating him above the likes of Jim Courier, Guillermo Vilas
and Australia's 1950s great Lew Hoad.

But this was easily the hardest earned of the lot.

Apart from the nigh indestructible Nadal, Djokovic had to
overcome an untimely nine-minute rain delay to close the roof
at Rod Laver Arena and then climb off the canvas in the
dramatic fifth set.

Nadal had just played a miraculous game to hold serve from
love-40 for 4-4 in the fourth set when the roof was shut.

But when play resumed, the Serb held his nerve and serve to go
up 5-4 before the set was decided in a tense tiebreaker.

Djokovic stood on the brink of victory at 5-3, but Nadal was
not done yet and he sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy when
he forced a deciding set when the top seed dragged a forehand
wide.

Re-energised after drawing level, Nadal had seized the
advantage in the fifth set with a break to go 4-2 up, but was
unable to consolidate as Djokovic - against all odds - roared
back.

Showing no signs of the fatigue and breathing problems he
suffered in his near-five-hour, five-set semi-final win over
Andy Murray on Friday night, Djokovic continued to club winners
from all parts of the court.

When he finally prevailed, the Serb fell on his back in
jubilation before ripping his shirt off to celebrate his third
Open crown to go with his 2008 and 2011 titles.

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Indefatigable Djokovic wants more