Novak Djokovic has set yet another record, surpassing Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history, with 430 matches reached on Wednesday at the Australian Open. Djokovic secured a hard-fought second-round win against 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, triumphing 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2. The match was briefly paused due to light rain before the roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed.
With the victory, Djokovic’s career Grand Slam record now stands at 379-51, a remarkable .881 winning percentage. Reflecting on his achievement, Djokovic expressed his appreciation for Grand Slam tournaments, calling them the foundation of the sport. “They mean everything for the history of the sport… Definitely the most important tournaments,” he said. “I’m just blessed to be making another record, I guess, today.”
Djokovic already holds numerous records, many of which were previously held by Federer, who finished with a 369-60 record in 429 Grand Slam matches, a .860 winning percentage. Djokovic is expected to break even more records as his career continues.
Djokovic currently holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles by any male player, with 24, surpassing Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Roger Federer’s 20 (both of whom are now retired). At 37 years old, the Serbian has also spent more weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings than any other player. Additionally, he has reached 37 Grand Slam finals, six more than Federer’s previous record. And this is just the beginning of his ongoing achievements.
Looking ahead, Djokovic has the potential to achieve even more remarkable milestones.
If he wins the Australian Open, it would mark his 25th Grand Slam title, a record never before reached by any male or female player. It would also be his 11th Australian Open victory, tying Margaret Court’s record for the most titles at this tournament. Additionally, it would make him the oldest man in the Open era (since 1968) to win a Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Ken Rosewall, who was about six months younger when he won the 1972 Australian Open. Moreover, this victory would be Djokovic’s 100th tour-level tournament title, putting him behind only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) for the most titles in the Open era among men.
Things haven’t gone entirely smoothly for Djokovic in his first tournament with former rival Andy Murray as his coach.
Both of Djokovic’s matches so far have been against young players making their Grand Slam debut, and in both cases, he was pushed to four sets. In the first round, he faced 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy, who turned professional only last month and is ranked 107th. In the second round, he played Jaime Faria, ranked 125th, who put up a tough fight, especially during a four-game stretch in the second set.
“He was playing exceptional tennis… I had to weather the storm,” Djokovic said. “I think I responded very well in the third and, especially, the fourth sets.”