Australian Open Novak Djokovic imperial for his entry into the running

(Melbourne) Novak Djokovic equaled two tennis records by participating for 21^e time in his illustrious career at the Australian Open, and he reached another important milestone Monday night by signing his 100^e victory at Melbourne Park.

He appreciated this feat.

“What can I say?” I like that, a hundred is pretty nice, said the holder of 24 career major titles after his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory in the first round against Spaniard Pedro Martinez. It’s nice. »

At 38, Djokovic is now 100-10 at the Australian Open, where he has won 10 career titles. He also has 102 victories at Wimbledon, and 101 at Roland-Garros.

What he wants more than anything is to score six more wins over the next two weeks, which would take him to his 25^e major title and become the most successful tennis player in history.

As he begins his 21^e campaign at the Australian Open, he equaled the tournament record held by Switzerland’s Roger Federer. Starting his 81^e Grand Slam tournament, he tied another record that Federer shared with Feliciano Lopez.

“Making history is a great source of motivation,” he admitted.

Djokovic showed encouraging signs on Monday, notably hitting a crosscourt forehand winner in the first set that had the crowd at Rod Laver Arena roaring like in their best years.

He was uncompromising on serve and did not concede a break point to Martinez, won 93% of the points with his first ball and had 14 aces, including one when he had a match point.

“My performance tonight was really excellent. I have nothing to complain about,” he said, adding that the landslide victory “sent the right signal, not only to myself, but also to all my opponents.”

Djokovic did not play any preparatory tournaments, preferring to concentrate on the tournament whose title has eluded him since 2023.

“I take advantage of every hour to recover and prepare for the next challenge,” he said.

He reached the semi-finals of the four major tournaments in 2025, but was unable to overcome the two best tennis players on the planet for two years, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Medvedev advances

Russian Daniil Medvedev, 12^e world and three-time finalist in Melbourne, also qualified for the second round by beating the Dutchman Jesper De Jong (73^e) 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2).

“At times I could have been more clinical, so I hope I will be in the next few rounds,” he commented.

He played the 2021, 2022 and 2024 finals in Melbourne, but last year, as a prelude to a missed season, he lost in the second round against the American Learner Tien, then from the qualifiers, but seeded N.25 this year.

This time, the winner of the United States Open in 2021 and former world No.1 will face Frenchman Quentin Halys (83^e) to try to advance to the third round.

“Last year was not my best season. But now, I’m playing better and better, so we’ll see,” commented Medvedev.

He is still undefeated this year after his title earlier this month in Brisbane where he reeled off five victories to earn his 22^e title in so many different tournaments.

Local favorite Alex de Minaur, seeded sixth, beat Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the next round, as did Reilly Opelka and Andrey Rublev (13^e).

Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka began his final career season in Grand Slam tournaments with a difficult 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory against Laslo Djere. The 2014 Australian Open champion announced last month that 2026 would be his final campaign on the ATP Tour.

“It’s my last year. It took too long to come back!, he said. The passion is still there. Today was great. I’m very happy to have won — I’ll be able to play at least one more match here. »