Djokovic fought nerves with distractions

By Greg Stutchbury

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Watching movies, listening to music and refusing to think about tennis had helped settle his pre-match nerves, new Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic said.

Then he arrived at Rod Laver Arena.

"It all changed in two seconds... when you get to the full stadium," the 20-year-old Serb told reporters after he beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 to claim his first grand slam title on Sunday night.

"I was a bit nervous from the start because I found myself the favourite in the final of a grand slam, which is not usual for me.

"It's always dangerous to play against an underdog who has nothing to lose.

"He was really aggressive going for the shots and that is where I had to keep calm and keep my focus."

Djokovic, who lost to world number one Roger Federer in last year's U.S. Open final then beat the Swiss in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park, said that experience had helped against Tsonga.

"Obviously playing in a grand slam final in U.S. Open gave me a lot of experience which I used today.