Twenty years after debuting at Majors in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic achieved the final word report on essentially the most notable tennis scene. The 37-year-old performed his 430th Main match within the Australian Open second spherical, leaving Roger Federer on 429!
Thus, the Serb achieved one other unbelievable milestone, extending his legacy and writing historical past books. Novak feels blessed to nonetheless compete at a excessive stage 20 years after beginning his journey at Majors. The legend expressed his love for the game and competitors in his post-match interview.
Regardless of reaching all the things, Djokovic nonetheless provides all the things each time he performs, leaving his coronary heart on the court docket whatever the scoreboard.
Novak Djokovic continues to create historical past and break much more information 💥🙌#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Tbk5QesmZF
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 15, 2025
Novak may have handed Roger final yr. Nevertheless, he skilled a setback at Roland Garros and suffered an early US Open loss after conquering the Olympic Video games gold medal. Nonetheless, the Serb grabbed a report at his beloved Australian Open, his most profitable Main.
Djokovic matched Federer’s 429 Main encounters within the first spherical in opposition to the 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy. The veteran misplaced the opener earlier than elevating his stage and ousting a young person in three hours. Thus, Novak secured a brand new report!
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
His record-breaking 430th Main encounter got here in opposition to the younger Portuguese qualifier, Jaime Faria. Djokovic earned a 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory in three hours over a debutant at Majors, transferring into the final 32 for the seventeenth time in Melbourne.
Novak struggled within the second set and argued with the organizers. Faria clinched it within the tie break to stage the general rating earlier than Djokovic took cost and sailed excessive. The Serb misplaced serve two occasions and stole 41% of the return factors.
He turned them into seven breaks from 12 probabilities, sufficient to seal the deal in 4 units. Novak hit the identical variety of winners and errors, and the younger gun couldn’t maintain that tempo. The veteran additionally took cost within the shortest vary as much as 4 strokes.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Jaime missed a break level within the third recreation of the opening set and suffered a break within the subsequent one. World no. 7 clinched one other break in recreation six and wrapped up the opener with an ace at 5-1. They traded breaks early within the second set.
Faria grabbed one other at 3-2 after an prolonged rally, transferring in entrance and holding for 5-2. The teen served for the set at 5-3 and suffered a break at love after Djokovic’s forehand crosscourt winner. The Portuguese landed a forehand winner at 6-5 for a set level.
Novak saved it and reached a tie break. We noticed 5 mini-breaks within the first six factors, with the 21-year-old main 4-2. Jaime hit a drop shot winner at 6-4, wrapping up the set and leveling the general rating after an hour and 37 minutes.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic served properly within the third set and grabbed a break within the sixth recreation. He fired an ace at 5-3, taking the set and transferring in entrance after an hour and 31 minutes. Faria skilled a break early within the fourth set and located himself 3-1 behind.
The Serb broke once more in recreation 5 and saved a break level within the subsequent one for 5-1. Novak served for the win at 5-2 and sealed the cope with an ace, holding at love and transferring by.
“I love this sport and the competition it brings. I give my best every time I play. I have played at Majors for two decades and maintained a high level. Winning or losing, I’m always leaving my heart on the court. I’m blessed to achieve another record,” Novak Djokovic stated.
