Record-breaking Novak Djokovic said he was “hanging in there” after becoming the first player to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins, powering into the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday.
The 38-year-old Serbian great brushed aside Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on centre court, extending his own all-time record for match victories at the majors. Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) trail him on the list.
The win was also Djokovic’s 102nd at Melbourne Park where he has claimed a record 10 titles drawing him level with Federer for the most Australian Open singles victories.
Djokovic will next face either Czech teenager Jakub Mensik or American debutant Ethan Quinn in the fourth round, after their match was delayed by extreme heat.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has looked sharp so far as he attempts to disrupt the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money,” Djokovic said. “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 from all of us right now. But when you step on the court and the ball starts rolling, you always have a chance particularly here, on the court that has given me the most in my career.”
Despite the milestone, Djokovic insisted he was not getting carried away, recalling injury setbacks that halted his progress at the majors last season.
“Last year I got too excited too early at some of the Grand Slams,” he said. “I was playing really well, getting to the quarters and semis, then getting injured in pretty much three out of four.”
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 75th, had stunned Djokovic in straight sets at Indian Wells last year, but never seriously threatened a repeat upset.
The fourth seed rolled back the years in the opening set, securing a crucial break in the fourth game after a gruelling 26-point rally. He broke again early in the second set to lead 4-2, though the contest grew more physical and tense, with Djokovic showing visible frustration.
At one point, he angrily swatted a ball toward an advertising board, narrowly missing a ball kid before immediately apologising.
Djokovic required medical attention to his foot during a third-set timeout after a fall in which he appeared to turn his ankle. The set went to a tiebreak following exchanged breaks, where the Serbian’s resilience proved decisive.
“A few points before, I almost saw the physio—I was planning to see him for my blisters,” Djokovic said. “Thankfully, I managed a good fall, if you can say that. Things could’ve been really ugly in that moment.”
Djokovic has been tied with Margaret Court on a record 24 major titles since lifting the US Open trophy in 2023.
AFP
