Novak Djokovic, who is eyeing his 25th Grand Slam triumph at this year’s Australian Open, began his campaign with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez, completing a century of victories at Melbourne Park in the process.
Novak Djokovic has his eyes firmly set on ending his quest for a 25th Grand Slam – one that will make him the most successful player in tennis history, male or female – in the ongoing Australian Open. And on Monday, the 38-year-old began his campaign at the season’s first Grand Slam on a positive note, beating Spain’s Pedro Martinez in straight sets (6-3 6-2 6-2) to advance to the second round.
In the process, the Serbian tennis icon added another entry to his burgeoning list of achievements across a professional career spanning more than two decades. Monday’s victory over Martinez, after all, was Djokovic’s 100th at Melbourne Park, the venue where he has won the Australian Open a record 10 times.
“Great to be back once again, definitely my favourite court. Centurion is pretty nice. I always give my best on the court, history-making is a great motivation,” Djokovic said after his victory on Monday.
Djokovic completes a century across three different Majors
In the process, Djokovic became the first man to win 100 or more matches across three surfaces in Grand Slams – having won 102 games in Wimbledon and 101 in the French Open, which are played on grass and clay surfaces respectively.
With his appearance at the Rod Laver Arena – which had witnessed an opening ceremony on Saturday, a first for the Australian Open – on Monday, Djokovic has now completed 21 appearances at the Australian Open, equaling the record held by Roger Federer. This is also his 81st Grand Slam appearance, equalling the joint-record held by Federer and Feliciano Lopez.
Djokovic’s record at the Australian Open currently stands at 100-10, with only Federer (102) having won more matches at Melbourne Park. The Serbian, however, will surpass his former rival in this edition itself if he progresses to the fourth round of beyond.
Djokovic, who returns to action for the first time since he won the inaugural ATP Hellenic Championships in Athens in November, faces Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli in the second round on Wednesday.
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