Australian Open 2015: Twitter Reacts to Djokovic vs. Murray Men's Final

After a slow start in the 2015 Australian Open championship, Novak Djokovic turned things on late to defeat Andy Murray 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-0 to capture his fifth career title at the year's first major. 

Murray was able to put forth a valiant effort in the first two sets and had an opportunity to put the heat on Djokovic in the third set, but the 27-year-old wore down late. Even in defeat, it was a strong start to the year for the world's sixth-ranked player after struggling and being limited by injuries in 2014. 

After the match, Murray didn't have a lot of positive things to say other than what his goals will be this time next year, via Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times:

For Djokovic, this is all just par for the course. The world's top-ranked player did exactly what he was supposed to do throughout this tournament to come out with a victory, his fifth at the Australian Open and fourth in the last five years. 

Djokovic's post-match comments gave thanks and appreciation to his team and the people who came out to watch the tournament, via Australian Open Twitter:

Djokovic has been practically unbeatable on the court at Melbourne Park, losing only once since 2011, via SportsCenter:

Per Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv, Djokovic's eighth career major championship also moved him into elite company:

It certainly wasn't an easy win, as the ATP World Tour noted Murray came down from two games in the second set to even things up:

Murray actually took the first two games of the third set too, but that's when Djokovic really turned on the heat, via ESPN Tennis:

"

Since falling behind 0-2 in 3rd set, Djokovic has won 10 of the last 11 games to take 4-0 lead in the 4th. #AusOpenFinal #DjokovicVsMurray

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) February 1, 2015"

Things were so tense on the court for a while that Djokovic's wife Jelena, who gave birth to the couple's first child in October, tweeted out photos of her needing to take a walk because things didn't look good early on:

After the win, Mrs. Djokovic tweeted out a picture of new baby Stefan already watching his father holding the championship trophy:

One thing that stood out in this match was the resolve of Djokovic. He looked beaten at various points in the match, but as tennis coach Brad Gilbert noted, that's usually when he rises up to play his best tennis:

"

Djoker seems to find another gear when u think he is running on fumes, that is when he relaxes and plays more relentless tennis

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) February 1, 2015"

That's one of the hallmarks of a champion in any sport. It's easy to play well with your best fastball, but being able to respond in situations where it might be off a couple miles per hour is what separates the great from the elite. 

Rothenberg tweeted out the ecstasy of victory and agony of defeat that Djokovic and Murray felt after the match:

This was the kind of start to 2015 that tennis was looking for. Djokovic and Murray put on an incredible display that lasted over 3.5 hours, but ultimately the world's best player proved why he holds that title on the biggest stage. 

Djokovic's next big hurdle will be the French Open in May, the only major championship he hasn't won. Playing on clay hasn't been easy for him, despite making it to two finals in the past three years. A victory there would finally give him that elusive career Grand Slam. 

Based on how Djoker played throughout this Australian Open, especially in the final, no one is going to be surprised if he at least makes a return trip to the championship match at Roland Garros. 

Murray shouldn't be discouraged by the loss. It does sting getting so close to the winner's circle, but where he came from over the last 15 months makes this a step in the right direction. Last year was merely an aberration with plenty of good things still to come.