Australian Open: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - we pick out some great men's singles champions in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic remains the king of Melbourne Park after clinching a ninth Australian Open title; Victory brought him a third successive title in Melbourne and an 18th Grand Slam crown, moving him to within two of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the top of the men's all-time standings

Image: Novak Djokovic is the reigning nine-time Australian Open champion

We look back at some of the greatest Australian Open men's singles champions in the history of the tournament.

Novak Djokovic - winner in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 & 2021

Image: Djokovic made it an incredible nine men's singles titles in Melbourne this year

The world No 1 is the irresistible force and the immovable object when it comes to the Plexicushion of Rod Laver Arena.

He is a record nine-time winner in Melbourne, including six titles in the previous decade. The Serb is also the scourge of Britain's Andy Murray, having beaten him four times in finals.

Djokovic gave another reminder of what makes him one of the greatest exponents the sport has ever seen with a relentless display of baseline hitting to defeat Daniil Medvedev for his ninth crown. He is an 18-time Grand Slam champion and he will return to Australia in 2022 as favourite to lift a record-extending 10th Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

Roger Federer - winner in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 & 2018

Image: Roger Federer will hope to return to Melbourne in 2022

A six-time winner of the Australian Open, it looked as though he would never win another title in Melbourne after 2010 when he defeated Andy Murray in straight sets.

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But the resurgent Swiss turned back the clock to defeat old foe Rafael Nadal in a five-set classic back in '17 before retaining his title a year later against Marin Cilic.

Will he win a 21st major this year? He'll be turning 40 in August.

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Rafael Nadal - winner in 2009

Image: Rafael Nadal won his one and only title in Melbourne in 2009

Incredibly the Spaniard enjoyed his sole success in Melbourne way back in 2009 when he beat great rival Federer in a five-set thriller.

He is also a four-time runner-up at the tournament, including twice in the previous four years at Melbourne Park.

Image: The Spaniard beat Roger Federer in four hours and 23 minutes

Nadal has already equalled Federer's Grand Slam mark but after his quarter-final exit this year, he will hope to be back in 2022 where he will hope to win in Melbourne for the first time in 13 years.

Marat Safin - winner in 2005

Image: Marat Safin upset home favourite Lleyton Hewitt to win the title

The Russian ace was twice a runner-up before he finally tasted success, upsetting home favourite Lleyton Hewitt.

Andre Agassi - winner in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003

Image: Andre Agassi won the Australian Open title four times during his career

The great American defeated rival Pete Sampras to win his first Australian Open title. He had to wait five years for his next and he won three in the space of four years.

Mats Wilander - winner in 1983, 1984 and 1988

Image: Mats Wilander upset Pat Cash to win the last of his three titles

The Swedish star turned commentator defeated Ivan Lendl and Kevin Curran before upsetting home favourite Pat Cash 8-6 in the deciding set to claim the last of his three titles.

Ivan Lendl - winner in 1989 and 1990

Image: Ivan Lendl won the last of his Australian Open titles when his opponent Stefan Edberg retired with a stomach injury in the third set

Andy Murray's former coach won back-to-back titles in Melbourne. He was also a finalist in 1983 and 1991.

Boris Becker - winner in 1991 and 1996

Image: Boris Becker beat Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang to win his two titles in Melbourne

The German was famous for becoming the youngest men's singles champion at Wimbledon in 1985 at the age of 17. He defeated rival Lendl to win his first title in Melbourne before seeing off American Michael Chang five years later.

Jim Courier - winner in 1992 and 1993

Image: Jim Courier dives in the Yarra River after winning the title in 1993

Another player turned successful commentator is the American, who won back-to-back titles, with both victories coming against Sweden's Stefan Edberg.

Pete Sampras - winner in 1997 and 1994

Image: Pete Sampras won two of his 14 Grand Slams in Melbourne

'Pistol Pete' amassed 14 Grand Slam title during his illustrious career but only two of them came in Australia. The dominant American who was known for his slam-dunk all-court game defeated compatriot Todd Martin and Spaniard Carlos Moya for his successes.

Stefan Edberg - winner in 1985 and 1987

Image: Stefan Edberg was a two-time winner and three-time runner-up at the Australian Open

The dynamic Edberg won the Swedish derby against Mats Wilander in '85 before holding aloft the trophy again two years later when he beat Pat Cash. He was also a runner-up three times in the early 1990s.

Thomas Johansson - winner in 2002

Image: Thomas Johansson was the last Swede to win the men's singles title

Johansson was the last Swedish success in Melbourne when he beat Marat Safin. In all, the Swedes have scooped six men's singles titles at the Australian Open with five in a row between 1983 and 1988. That might have been seven had there been a tournament in 1986.

Mark Edmondson - winner in 1976

Image: Mark Edmondson was the last Australian to win the men's singles title

Edmondson's victory is significant in the fact that he was the last Australian to win the men's singles title in Melbourne. Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and John Newcombe were also Aussie winners in the Open Era, but after a wait of 45 years, can the mercurial Nick Kyrgios finally end the hurt in 2021?

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