Novak Djokovic's run to 22 Grand Slam titles

MELBOURNE : Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian final on Sunday to win a men's record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

The following is a timeline charting how Djokovic, playing in what is considered to be the greatest era of men's tennis, surpassed the haul of Roger Federer and equalled Rafa Nadal's record.

2003: Federer became the newest entrant into the Grand Slam club with the first of his eight Wimbledon titles, beating Mark Philippoussis in the final.

Tally: Federer 1

2004: The Swiss flexed his muscles by winning three majors - the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open - losing in the third round of the French Open.

Tally: Federer 4

2005: Federer defended his Wimbledon crown and U.S. Open crowns while Nadal burst on to the scene with his first French Open title beating Mariano Puerta in the final.

Tally: Federer 6; Nadal 1

2006: Federer enjoyed another trophy-laden year winning three majors while Nadal laid the foundation for a period of dominance on clay with his second French Open title.

Tally: Federer 9; Nadal 2

2007: The seemingly unstoppable Federer repeated his feat from the previous year but the French Open title continued to elude him as Nadal thwarted him in the final for a second straight year.

Tally: Federer 12; Nadal 3

2008: Djokovic hit big time with his maiden major, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Australian Open final. After his French Open triumph, Nadal stunned Federer in the Wimbledon final but the Swiss responded by winning the U.S. Open.

Tally: Federer 13; Nadal 5; Djokovic 1

2009: Nadal won his first hardcourt Grand Slam title, edging out Federer in five sets in Australian Open final. However, Nadal's 31-game winning streak at Roland Garros came to an end in the fourth round,