Novak Djokovic ties Roger Federer on final Main milestone

One other Main, one other report for Novak Djokovic! The 24-time Main champion made a profitable begin at his beloved Australian Open, beating the younger American Nishesh Basavareddy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 59 minutes. 

Novak entered the Rod Laver Enviornment and embraced his 429th Main match, equalling Roger Federer’s report and arranging to set the report on Wednesday morning! Djokovic holds a formidable 378-51 report at Majors since debuting in Melbourne in 2005.

The Serb grew to become a Main contender in 2007 after enjoying his first last on the US Open. Djokovic lifted his first Main crown in Melbourne in 2008 and have become a participant to beat at notable tournaments in 2011. Novak delivered unbelievable numbers at Majors within the span of six years.

Novak Djokovic when requested what retains him motivated to nonetheless hold enjoying: “I never won Brisbane.” 😂🔥pic.twitter.com/P35OUQoEk8

— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) January 2, 2025

He performed 156 encounters on the 4 most vital tournaments between 2011 and 2016, coming into the GOAT race with Federer and Nadal. The Serb missed two Majors in 2017 as a result of an damage earlier than returning to a excessive tempo in 2018. 

Novak lifted 12 Main crowns between 2018 and 2023, gathering nearly each notable report and terminating the GOAT race with 24 Main titles by his identify! At 37 years and 7 months, Djokovic will develop into a participant with most matches at Majors.

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

It is one other testimony of his eternal class and unmatched want. Novak is able to chase extra Main glory in 2025, specializing in probably the most vital tournaments after profitable the Olympic Video games gold medal in Paris final August.

The veteran needed to work exhausting in his 429th Main match in opposition to the 19-year-old. Nishesh claimed the opening set earlier than Novak took cost from the second set and moved into the second spherical in Melbourne for the 18th straight yr. 

Djokovic performed in opposition to three break factors and misplaced serve as soon as. He landed 51 winners and 41 unforced errors, taming his strokes properly and changing 4 of 11 break factors. 

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Basavareddy debuted at Majors and made it memorable! He outplayed the legend within the first set and claimed it with a single break. The American denied a break level in three video games of the opening set. He stole Novak’s serve within the seventh recreation with a return winner. 

A youngster saved a break level within the eighth recreation and one other whereas serving for the set at 5-4. Basavareddy held and received the opener 6-4, offering an enormous increase. Djokovic saved break factors at 1-2 within the second set. 

He grabbed a break within the eighth recreation and landed a service winner at 5-3 to stage the general rating. Nishesh skilled cramps within the second set and requested for a medical timeout. He misplaced serve within the first recreation of the third set after a double fault. 

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Djokovic stored the benefit with 5 comfy holds and wrapped up the set at 5-4 for 2 units to 1 benefit. The ten-time champion clinched one other break firstly of the fourth set and saved a break level at 2-1 to stay in entrance. 

The younger gun misplaced serve from 40-0 within the fifth recreation and fell additional behind after a free volley. Nishesh saved two match factors within the seventh recreation, extending the battle and displaying his preventing spirit. Nevertheless, Novak moved excessive together with his twenty third ace in recreation eight.