Novak Djokovic has cemented his legendary status at the Australian Open, achieving a remarkable century of match wins while simultaneously drawing level with two of the sport's most enduring appearance records.
A Milestone Night in Melbourne
The Serbian superstar, aged 38, secured his 100th victory at Melbourne Park with a commanding 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 first-round win over Spain's Pedro Martinez on Monday night. This monumental achievement places his Australian Open record at an astounding 100 wins to just 10 losses, a tournament where he has already claimed a record 10 titles.
"I mean, what can I say? I like the sound of it — centurion is pretty nice," Djokovic remarked after the match. "Nice feeling." This century of wins in Melbourne adds to his impressive tallies at other majors, having also passed the 100-win mark at both Wimbledon (102) and Roland Garros (101).
Equalling Federer's Historic Feats
Merely by stepping onto the court for his first-round match, Djokovic matched two significant all-time records. By commencing his 21st Australian Open campaign, he tied the tournament appearance record long held by the great Roger Federer.
Furthermore, this match marked the start of his 81st Grand Slam tournament overall, drawing him level with another record previously shared by Federer and Spain's Feliciano Lopez. "History making is a great motivation," Djokovic stated, underscoring the drive behind his enduring career.
Dominant Performance Signals Intent
Djokovic displayed formidable form, treating the Rod Laver Arena crowd to flashes of his prime, including a spectacular running crosscourt forehand winner in the opening set. His serving was particularly imperious, not facing a single break point throughout the match.
The statistics from his service games were staggering:
- A first-serve points won percentage of 93%.
- A total of 14 aces fired, one sealing the match point.
"Tonight’s performance was definitely great. Can’t complain," Djokovic assessed. He added that such a commanding victory was crucial for "sending the right signal, not just to yourself but to all your opponents."
The Quest for a 25th Major Crown
Beyond these records, Djokovic's primary focus is crystal clear: winning six more matches over the next fortnight to secure an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. A victory here would break the tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles championships in history, making him the most decorated player of all time.
Having foregone any warm-up tournaments to prepare specifically for this challenge, Djokovic is meticulously managing his physical condition. "I’m using every hour that I can to get my body recovered and in shape for the next challenge," he explained.
This campaign follows a 2025 season where he reached the semifinals at all four majors but was unable to overcome the dominance of rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have shared the sport's biggest prizes for the past two years. The Serbian legend is now determined to end his major drought, which dates back to 2023.
