The Philippine Online Chronicles

Novak Djokovic's victory over Rafael Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open is quickly becoming hailed by tennis experts as the greatest match ever.

The 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 match, the longest in Grand Slam history, lasted five hours and 53 minutes.

The significance of the victory was not lost on Djokovic. "I think under the circumstances definitely, this was the greatest match I ever played … The match that could have gone either way; the match that almost went six hours and adding to all that is a grand slam final and winning against the biggest rival," said the world number one.

The ever-gracious Rafael Nadal had this to say: “I really understand that this was a really special match, and probably a match that's going to be in my mind, not because I lost, no, because the way that we played."

“It just goes to show how good [Djokovic] is. It's mind-blowing.” said Pat Cash, former world number one.

Recently-deposed women's world number one Caroline Wozniacki chimed in on Twitter: "Unbelievable win Novak had. Truly unbelievable match."

Djokovic now has eyes for the French Open, the only Grand Slam he has not yet won.

“I have never been in finals there, and I have a feeling that I'm ready this year to achieve that," he said.