Novak Djokovic has etched his name further into the annals of tennis history by achieving a remarkable milestone at the Australian Open. The Serbian superstar secured his 400th victory in Grand Slam tournaments, becoming the first player ever to reach this extraordinary landmark.
A Historic Achievement in Melbourne
Djokovic accomplished this feat with a straight-sets win over Dutch opponent Botic van de Zandschulp, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4). This triumph not only marked his 400th Grand Slam win but also equalled Roger Federer's record of 102 victories at the Australian Open, underscoring Djokovic's dominance in Melbourne.
Navigating Challenges on Court
The match was not without its moments of tension and drama. Djokovic faced pressure after Van de Zandschulp, who had previously defeated him at Indian Wells last year, forced a medical timeout for a shoulder issue while trailing 3-0 in the second set. In the third set, Djokovic sparked concerns when he fell and clutched his right ankle, though it was later treated as a blister by the trainer.
He had to save two set points at 5-6 in the third set, during which he engaged in his latest interaction with the Melbourne crowd over noise during points. Djokovic responded by putting his finger to his lips on several occasions and then cupping his hand to his ear upon securing the win.
Reflections and Resilience
In a post-match assessment, Djokovic admitted to relaxing too much and facing difficulties in closing out the second set, which made the game competitive. He expressed relief at overcoming the set point in the third set and emphasised a cautious approach to the tournament, learning from past experiences of getting too excited early on.
Djokovic also downplayed concerns over his ankle, stating, "Thankfully I managed to have a good fall. Things could have been very ugly." He added his intent to continue challenging younger players, saying, "I'm still trying to give these young guys a push for their money."
A Narrow Miss and Past Incidents
The match included a moment of fortune when Djokovic narrowly avoided hitting a ball girl at the net after swiping a ball away in the second set. This incident recalled his disqualification from the US Open in 2020 for hitting a line judge with a ball struck in annoyance, highlighting the fine margins in high-stakes tennis.
This victory represents only the second Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2023 where Djokovic has reached the fourth round without dropping a set, demonstrating his consistent excellence and resilience on the court.
