Postpublished at 08:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
The trophy is in very safe hands at the moment.
Image source, EPASummary
Novak Djokovic beats Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in men's singles final at Australian Open
Serbia's defending champion Djokovic wins a record-extending eighth Melbourne title
Fifth seeded Austrian Thiem had been seeking a maiden Grand Slam title
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Watch highlights on BBC Two at 13:30 GMT
Postpublished at 08:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Image source, EPA'It's tough to teach the guy who's the best'published at 08:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Image source, Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic has dropped serve only three times since his first-round match and has won 82% of his first-serve points in the tournament.
"He is serving better and his second serve is like 180/190kph - he wasn't serving like that before," Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Now he is confident and believes he can serve harder."
Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon in 2001, linked up with the Serb last year on a part-time basis and works alongside his full-time coach Marian Vajda.
"It is tough to teach the guy who has been the best tennis player in the world over the past nine years but he still wants to improve every day," added Croat Ivanisevic.
"It is great as a coach to have a player like that who wants to listen, to learn and improve every single day."
Postpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
Image source, BBC SportSofia Kenin, a former child prodigy who hit with the stars while she was still at primary school, fulfilled her potential by winning her first Grand Slam yesterday.
The 21-year-old American couldn't have done it without dad Alex, her self-taught coach who left Russia for New York in 1987 and gave her "the American dream".
"Just thank you to him. We can share this forever," she said.
His only mistake this fortnight? Not pressing record when trying to film her trophy speech...
Read more of their incredible story here.
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End of twitter postPurple hazepublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
Image source, BBC SportFinal preparations...
That's for the court staff, who were earlier tightening the net and dusting off the cushion acrylic surface.
You'll notice the roof is closed. That's so the pre-match light show can be watched in all its purple glory.
Image source, BBC Sport'Thiem could blow Djokovic off the court'published at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentatorThiem has changed his coach and made additions to his game. He's now defending out wide and choosing the right shot at the right time. He's choosing the moment of when to attack. He is so exciting to watch.
He's showing great touch and tactical nous. I know who hits the ball the hardest between him and Djokovic. He could blow Djokovic off the court. They played an epic French Open semi-final last year, which Thiem won.
However, Djokovic does not lose on this court in the finals. He's playing in an era of greats and it’s made him better. Novak’s technical ability from the back – we’ve seen nothing like it.
Team Thiempublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Image source, Getty ImagesDominic Thiem is making a habit of beating the 'big three', having seen off world number one Rafael Nadal en route to the final in Australia, defeated Roger Federer at Indian Wells and beaten today's opponent Novak Djokovic in four of their past five meetings.
"It's a big motivation to beat players like Nadal, number one in the world, in the centre court in a Slam," said Thiem's coach, Nicolas Massu.
"It always makes you so happy because you work for this. Now he's looking forward for the final.
"Everyone knows that it is difficult to play against Nole because he's an unbelievable player.
"But if Dominic is in the final it's because he deserves it."
Postpublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
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End of twitter postBBC's John Watson seeks shade assistant, must bring own matching pastel green chinos.
Will the schedule help or hinder?published at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkUnlike the other Grand Slams, the Australian Open splits the men's semi-finals over Thursday and Friday which has led to long-running debates about the fairness of not playing both matches on the same day.
This year, Dominic Thiem is the unlucky man. And it has come after a gruelling run where he has spent almost six hours longer on court than Djokovic.
"Statistically you would think - it is common sense after two hard weeks - that the person with the extra day of rest would benefit," said Cash, who lost in the 1987 and 1988 Australian Open finals.
"But actually the statistics show that the person with less rest has won more often.
"Having said that, in this case I think Thiem would like to have had an extra day."
'If Novak wins he'll be in range'published at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captainThiem played the big points so well against Alexander Zverev. The one-handed backhand is supreme. He’s improved his serve a lot. I can't wait to watch these players break each other down. These two are road runners – they can go on all night. I can see multi-play rallies of 10 shots and upwards. They are two of the best athletes in the game. Djokovic is so confident and in such great shape.
I love it when they [Federer, Nadal and Djokovic] say they’re not looking at the Grand Slams record. This is a big one for Novak – if he wins he'll be in range.
Postpublished at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkDon't glance right, Dominic.
If Thiem does that in the final seconds before he walks out on court then he will see the name of Novak Djokovic - and, most dauntingly, the SEVEN years he has won the title - on the final LED screen of the Champions' Walkway.
The narrow corridor arcs around Laver from the locker room, taking each player about 50 seconds to reach the court entrance.
The last thing Thiem and Djokovic will see there, other than the face of a security guard, is their names on the final screen before they turn left and walk out.
Image source, BBC SportThat walk to the arena...published at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
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End of twitter postNew test for champion Djokovicpublished at 08:35 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Image source, AFPNovak Djokovic may have a record seven Australian Open titles to his name, but today's final against Dominic Thiem marks new ground for the world number two.
In those seven unbeaten finals, the Serb has only met three men - defeating Rafael Nadal (2012, 2019) twice, Andy Murray four times (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga once, in 2008, to win his maiden Grand Slam title.
In fifth seed Thiem, Djokovic meets an opponent he has never faced at Melbourne Park.
Road to the final...published at 08:33 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, BBC SportRain, rain go(ne) awaypublished at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkUnlike yesterday's women's final, Thiem and Djokovic will play outside as the tennis gods intended.
Because of torrential rain in Melbourne, Sofia Kenin's maiden Grand Slam victory came in an indoor win over Garbine Muguruza.
Today is a different picture completely. Sunny spells have greeted the city today, meaning there are a steady stream of tourists and locals enjoying the outside terraces of the Southbank cafes and bars which line the Yarra river close to Melbourne Park.
A positive forecast means it looks unlikely that we will be interrupted by any showers.
But this is Melbourne where the weather changes faster than, well, the weather anywhere else in the world...
Image source, BBC SportPostpublished at 08:29 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2020
Djokovic v Thiem
Image source, Getty ImagesOne's a seven-time Australian Open champion, one's lost both major finals he's reached.
But don't let that fool you...
World number two Novak Djokovic faces a tricky test if he's to claim an eighth title in Melbourne, and it comes in the shape of the new-and-improved, Rafael Nadal-beating Dominic Thiem.
It's the men's Australian Open singles final...