Novak Djokovic achieves 400th victory in Grand Slam tournaments, furthering his record.
MELBOURNE, Australia — A remarkable 400 victories in Grand Slams and 102 in Australia. Novak Djokovic continues to break tennis records.
The 24-time major champion became the inaugural player to achieve 400 wins in Grand Slam singles by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Saturday night during the third round of the Australian Open.
This victory also enhanced his win-loss record to 102-10 at the Australian Open, matching Roger Federer’s career total for the highest number of match wins at the season’s opening major.
Djokovic has claimed the Australian Open title 10 times, more than any other player. At 38, he is in Australia pursuing a 25th career major, which would establish him as the most accomplished tennis player in history.
He maintained control from the outset against van de Zandschulp and faced little trouble, aside from a few moments in the third set—when he stumbled and fell to the court in the third game, and later when he confronted two set points in the 12th game.
A medical timeout during the changeover after the third set, where the trainer applied tape to the ball of his right foot, and a forehand winner down the line alleviated the initial concerns.
As Djokovic encountered his second set point, chair umpire John Blom had to repeatedly remind the crowd to remain quiet between the first and second serves.
An animated Djokovic saved the next set point as well, playfully pretending to head the ball like a soccer player as the Dutchman’s shot went beyond the baseline.
The audience chanted “Nole, Nole, Nole” in support before he delivered a winning serve to reach a tiebreaker, which he ultimately won.
Djokovic expressed satisfaction in playing a night match on a day when the tournament’s extreme heat policy was enacted, while two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner faced challenges before progressing in the afternoon heat.
“I managed to have a ‘good’ fall if you can say so, I could protect myself,” Djokovic remarked regarding his tumble. “Things could have been pretty ugly.”
He noted that his body feels good at this point in the tournament, but he is cautious not to get ahead of himself after reaching the semifinals at all four majors last year.
“I must say, it’s been a great start to the tournament,” he stated. “Last year I learned a lesson. I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams … getting injured three out of four.”
Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz divided the four majors between them, and while Djokovic acknowledges “they’re playing on a different level right now,” he added: “I’m still trying to give these young guys a run for their money.”
With his first-round victory over Pedro Martinez, Djokovic matched two all-time tennis records by commencing his 21st Australian Open and his 81st Grand Slam event, and he reached another milestone with his 100th win at Melbourne Park.
This achievement made him the first man to secure 100 or more matches on three surfaces at the Grand Slams, with 102 on grass at Wimbledon and 101 on clay at Roland Garros.
Source: espn.com
