Djokovic Makes History as First Player to Record 400 Match Wins at the Majors

Legends gonna legend, GOATS gonna GOAT.

And so it went at the Australian Open on Day 7 as Novak Djokovic dominated night session proceedings with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp to reach the round of 16.

“[I feel] really good,” Djokovic told Hall of Famer Jim Courier. “I must say it’s been a great start to the tournament. Obviously, things can change. I’m not getting ahead of myself because last year I learned a lesson: I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams playing really well in getting to the quarters and the semis.

“Getting injured in pretty much three of the four [Slams] last year. I’m still trying to give these young guys push for their money. I’m still around, I’m hanging in there. Obviously, Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. They’re playing on a different level than all of us right now. When you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance. Particularly here on the court that has given me most in my career. So I look forward to our next battle.”

This was no ordinary win for the 38-year-old 24-time Grand Slam champion. But at this stage of his career, there’s no such thing – he makes history every time he steps on the court.

Tonight he did it in more ways than one.

The Serbian icon equals Roger Federer’s record for most Australian Open singles match-wins and become the first player to record 400 singles victories at the majors. But wait, there’s more.

By reaching his 70th round of 16 at the majors, Djokovic passes Federer for most all-time, and he becomes the oldest man to reach the round of 16 since 1988 – when the tournament expanded its draw to 128 players.

Djokovic and Federer (102) are the only men to have notched over 100 match wins in Melbourne. The Serbian icon can take sole possession of that record by winning the quarterfinals.

It was an impressive win that had a brief moment of controversy.

Late in the second set, Djokovic smacked a ball in frustration that nearly struck a ball kid. Fortunately, the stray shot missed the ball kid and Djokovic said he apologized for it.

“Yeah, I apologized for that. That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment,” said Djokovic, who was famously defaulted from the US Open after accidentally striking a lineswoman in the throat with a ball. “Yeah, I was lucky there, and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.”

The 10-time AO champion Djokovic will face Jakub Mensik for a quarterfinal spot.

The 16th-seeded Mensik defeated American Ethan Quinn 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) on the strength of five service breaks. Last spring, Mensik toppled Djokovic in the Miami Open final so the Serbian superstar figures to be primed in the rematch.