It was a familiar ending, a habitual champion winning once again. The second best player in the world could not topple him, and seemingly no-one can.
The Big Four is now the Big One.
Novak Djokovic's record-equalling sixth Australian Open title was his third consecutive Grand Slam and the 11th of his career, putting him alongside two of the sport's idols, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg.
A beaten Andy Murray, comfortably conquered in straight sets, smiled as he reached for the on-court microphone. "I feel like I've been here before," he quipped. Yet what to do about it?
It was the Serb's fourth win over the Briton in the Melbourne final, and his 11th in their past 12 matches.
But the complex puzzle of how to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam is not only Murray's to solve. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, owners of 31 major titles between them, cannot crack the code and neither can anyone else, while the 28-year-old Djokovic has time to improve, to hunt more records, to become the greatest ever.
The Lionel Messi of tennis ?
Former British number one Andrew Castle likens the Australian Open champion to Barcelona and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi. They inhabit a different planet to the rest.
"The bar has never been as high in men's tennis," says Castle.
"I cannot believe what I'm watching and Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly moving towards being considered the sport's all-time greatest player, and that's quite something, particularly in this generation.
"I cannot think of a more eminent, more illustrious sportsperson in the world. There's Lionel Messi and his Ballons d'Or, and Serena Williams with her 21 Grand Slam titles, but I can guarantee there's doubt."
Can Djokovic surpass Federer?
Murray was expected to board the first flight back to the UK to be with his pregnant wife Kim, and should he need guidance on combining fatherhood with on-court success he need only look at Djokovic, father of 14-month-old Stefan.
Fatherhood, after all, has not stopped the Serb chasing history.
He will again set his sights on winning a calendar Grand Slam and, should he do so, will draw level with Nadal on 14 Grand Slams. After that? Federer's 17 titles, which both Lloyd and Castle believe is an achievable target.
"He's got to keep the hunger," says Lloyd. "At some stage the desire to train four hours every day ends, but at the moment it hasn't.
"Players, whether they say it or not, love records. He's equalled Laver and Borg, he wants to win the French Open and wants to become the greatest player of all time. These are all incentives. They have to have something to keep motivating them and this guy wants to break records.
"He's still got another four great years in him. If he can keep the focus who knows how many more he can win."
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