Novak Djokovic Achieves Milestone Victory at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic achieved a remarkable milestone by securing his 100th victory at the Australian Open, defeating Pedro Martinez in his opening match. This victory sets him on a quest for his 25th Grand Slam title, aiming to surpass Roger Federer's record. Other notable players like Casper Ruud and Stan Wawrinka also advanced in the tournament, showcasing impressive performances. Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur continued their strong starts to the season, while several other key players secured wins. Read on for more details about the matches and upcoming challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 20, 2026, 15:57 IST

Djokovic Celebrates 100 Wins at Melbourne Park

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend and 24-time Grand Slam champion, kicked off his Australian Open journey with a remarkable milestone, securing his 100th victory in the tournament. He triumphed over Pedro Martinez with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking a significant achievement at Melbourne Park. This victory sets Djokovic on a path toward his 25th major title, aiming to surpass Roger Federer's record of 102 wins in this prestigious event.

According to the ATP's official statistics, the only Grand Slam where Djokovic has not yet reached the century mark is the US Open, where he holds a record of 95 wins against 15 losses. "What can I say? I like the sound of it... Centurion is pretty nice," Djokovic remarked. He expressed that being a centurion is a motivating factor, especially in the later stages of his career. "I was fortunate to meet mentors early on who guided me to sustain my career and avoid burnout. I feel blessed to still compete at this level," he added.

Next, Djokovic will face 23-year-old Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, who secured his first main-draw victory at a Grand Slam by defeating Terence Atmane with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-1. Djokovic displayed impressive agility and sharpness on the court, despite ongoing discussions about his age and fitness.

Ruud and Wawrinka Advance

World number 13, Casper Ruud, also progressed to the next round, defeating Mattia Bellucci with a score of 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, marking his 50th Grand Slam match victory. He is set to compete against Jaume Munar in the following round.

In a notable comeback, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, who received a wild card entry, garnered significant fan support as he achieved his first Australian Open win in five years. He overcame Serbian Laslo Djere with a score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is currently in his final ATP Tour season.

Medvedev and De Minaur Progress

After a challenging 2025 season, Daniil Medvedev from Russia began 2026 on a positive note, winning against Jesper de Jong with a score of 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2) to advance to the second round of the Australian Open. Medvedev, who started the year with a title at the Brisbane Open, has maintained an undefeated record of six wins this season. He aims for his first Australian Open title after reaching the finals three times.

Local favorite Alex de Minaur, who reached the quarterfinals last year, began his campaign strongly, defeating Mackenzie McDonald with a score of 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. "It feels great to start here at the Australian Open," De Minaur stated in his post-match interview. "I’m pleased with my performance. The first match is always tricky, but I managed to navigate it well and am ready for the next challenge," he concluded.

Other Notable Winners

Additional winners from the day included Tommy Paul, ranked 20th and a semifinalist at the 2023 Australian Open, who defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Andrey Rublev, the fifth seed and a 17-time ATP Tour champion, also advanced by beating Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Reilly Opelka made headlines by serving 23 aces in his victory over Nicolai Budkov Kjaer with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.