Novak's special birthday present to mum

Aussie fans already love Novak Djokovic but that adoration shifted into overdrive last night.

After demolishing Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena and marching into a fourth round he could be forgiven for talking about the tennis, the match just past, the path ahead to a fifth Australian Open crown.

But no.

In a move that melted the hearts of female fans everywhere and had mums around the country beaming with a shared collective pride for their sons, Novak told the crowd and the huge television audience that it was his own mother’s birthday.

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He proceeded to have the sold-out Rod Laver Arena help sing happy birthday to his mum, a task they all gleefully took part in. It was a rousing rendition.

It was another lovely moment for RLA this Open.

Just an hour earlier a man gathered up his wits and with butterflies in his stomach and his heart on his sleeve asked his partner to marry him, in front of the huge audience.

Thankfully she said yes. And there was much rejoicing.

Even Novak stood to clap his congratulations.

Earlier in the tournament we witnessed that great moment of sportsmanship when Tim Smyczek allowed Rafael Nadal to replay a point, at 6-5 in the fifth mind you, after a member of the crowd shouted nonsense during his serve.