Novak Djokovic Continues To Break Records At The Australian Open

By: Gyang Dakwo

Novak Djokovic added yet another record to his lengthy list, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history by reaching 430 on Wednesday at the Australian Open in a tough second-round victory.

Djokovic improved to 379-51 for his career at major tournaments by defeating 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 in a match briefly interrupted by light rain before Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof was shut.

“Grand Slams, of course, they are the pillars of our sport. They mean everything for the history of the sport. … Definitely the most important tournaments,” Djokovic said. “I’m just blessed to be making another record, I guess, today.”

As it is, Djokovic has won the most Grand Slam singles titles of any man, 24, ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20 (those other two members of the Big Three are now retired). The 37-year-old Serb has spent more weeks at No. 1 in the rankings than any other player. He’s played in 37 Slam finals, six more than Federer’s old record. And so on and so on.

A title at the end of the 15 days at Melbourne Park would be his 25th at a major, a number never reached by any man or woman. It would also be his 11th at the Australian Open, equaling Margaret Court for the most. It would make him the oldest man in the Open era — which began in 1968 — to collect a Grand Slam singles trophy (Ken Rosewall was about six months younger when he won the 1972 Australian Open).

It would also be Djokovic’s 100th tour-level tournament title, a nice round number behind only Jimmy Connors’ 109 and Federer’s 103 in the Open era among men.