Novak Djokovic notched his one centesimal Australian Open win in his 2026 match opener on Monday, however reaching 1 / 4 century of Grand Slam titles stays the variety of extra curiosity to him.
Djokovic’s hunt for 25, which might break his tie with Margaret Court docket for the document, has been an obsession over the past two years – and on this proof, the 38-year-old may properly be on target for that magic quantity.
“To be a centurion is a pretty nice feeling,” Djokovic stated on court docket after disposing of Spain’s Pedro Martinez – ranked 71st on this planet – in straight units.
“I always give my best whenever I’m on the court. History making is a great motivation – and particularly in the last five, 10 years of my career.”
Djokovic’s 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory was achieved, crucially, in precisely two hours on court docket. Essential as a result of a 100 per cent match and totally rested Djokovic remains to be arguably the perfect participant on this planet, even at his age and when held up in opposition to younger bucks Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz who’ve dominated the boys’s recreation in more moderen instances.
Djokovic admitted previous to the match that he lacks “a little bit of juice” with regards to competing with the world’s high two, earlier than including: “When I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody.”
The issue for Djokovic is that is hardly ever been the case when he is confronted these two of late. Clashing deeper in tournaments, he is had little left within the tank and been disposed of with minimal fuss.
Since his 2023 US Open triumph to win No 24, Djokovic’s run on the 4 majors has been ended by Sinner or Alcaraz on 5 out of eight events, with harm the offender in two different cases – and 4 of these defeats have are available straight units.
The one time Djokovic did come out on high, in an epic quarter-final conflict with Alzaraz in Melbourne final yr, the tour required resulted in an harm withdrawal only one set into his subsequent semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev.
“It always feels good at the beginning of the tournament,” Djokovic reasoned as regards to his physique after his emphatic victory over Martinez. “Let’s see how I progress.
“Tonight’s efficiency was undoubtedly nice. I can not complain about something; I served very properly.”
‘Phenomenal’ Djokovic serve sends message to rivals
Djokovic’s serve is certainly a key to him being able to manage his minutes and maintain his health into the latter rounds in Melbourne, with his match against Martinez his first competitive action since early November due to various niggles that ended his 2025 season early.
Novak Djokovic dropped solely 5 factors on serve all through his first spherical match in opposition to Pedro Martinez
He actually offered the template to comply with: throughout 13 service video games, Djokovic dropped simply 5 complete factors, profitable 41 out of 44 on his first serve in an completely dominant show that additionally included 14 aces as he rapidly dispelled any considerations to over kind or health.
“It was absolutely phenomenal from Djokovic,” former British No 1 Tim Henman stated on TNT Sports activities.
“You’re looking to build rhythm in your whole game in the first round of a Grand Slam – and Novak hasn’t played for quite some time – but he came out, hit his spots and was able to dictate if the ball did come back.
“It was such a powerful basis for him to construct from. His first serve proportion was up within the 80s within the first two units, and first serve factors received was up within the 90s.
“Martinez just had no look at Djokovic’s serve. And if he is going to progress into the latter stages of the tournament, it’s important he keeps that serve going – as that conserves energy and gives him even more freedom in his return games.
“When you may have given Djokovic the chance to put in writing the script for his first spherical match, that might have been it. It was an ideal night time’s work.”
And it was a perfect night’s work the Serb hopes his rivals were watching, with Sinner in his half of the draw and a possible semi-final opponent, before Alcaraz stands in the way of No 25 in a potential final clash.
“It is all the time a problem to kick-start the competitors in the fitting manner, sending the fitting sign to not simply your self however all of the opponents watching you play,” Djokovic added.
“I now have a few days and not using a match to get better my physique. I am utilizing each hour I can to get my physique in form for the following problem. Let’s hope for the perfect.
“I’m blessed to still be playing at this level and claiming another win tonight is obviously a dream come true.”
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