01/15/25 01:25:00
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01/15 01:23 CST Novak Djokovic breaks a tie with Roger Federer for the most
Grand Slam matches in tennis history
Novak Djokovic breaks a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches
in tennis history
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- 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
what was a tougher-than-expected second-round victory.
Djokovic improved to 379-51 for his career at major tournaments, a .881 winning
percentage, 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."
Oh, yes, Djokovic already holds so many marks, many of which used to belong to
Federer --- who went 369-60 during his 429 Slam matches, a .860 winning
percentage --- and there are more on the horizon.
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.
Consider, too, what could possibly await for Djokovic.
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). And it would 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.
Not everything has gone perfectly this week in Australia for Djokovic in his
first tournament working with former on-court rival Andy Murray as his coach.
Both of Djokovic's matches so far came against a young player making his Grand
Slam debut. And both times, he was pushed to four sets.
In the first round, it was against Nishesh Basavareddy, a 19-year-old American
who turned pro only last month and is ranked 107th. In the second, it was
Faria, who is ranked 125th, giving him a bit of a hard time, especially during
a four-game run in the second set.
"He was playing lights-out tennis. ... I had to weather the storm," Djokovic
said. "I think I responded very well in the third and, particularly fourth,
(sets)."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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