Novak Djokovic achieved a remarkable milestone at the Australian Open on Monday. The Serbian tennis star defeated Spain's Pedro Martinez in straight sets. The final scoreline read 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. This victory marked Djokovic's 100th win at the prestigious Melbourne tournament.
A Historic Century in Melbourne
Djokovic now joins an elite club with this achievement. He already boasts 100 wins at both the French Open and Wimbledon. The US Open is the only major where he hasn't yet reached the century mark. He needs just five more victories in New York to complete the full set.
The 36-year-old is currently chasing an even bigger prize. He aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam singles title. This would extend his existing record in men's tennis. Djokovic expressed his delight after the match.
"What can I say? I like the sound of it – centurion is pretty nice," Djokovic stated. "It's a nice feeling to be a centurion. History-making is great motivation, particularly in the last five to ten years of my career."
Dominant Performance Against Martinez
Facing first-time opponent Pedro Martinez, Djokovic started strongly. He seized an early break in the opening set and never relinquished control. Under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena, he wrapped up the first set comfortably.
Despite last competing in November, Djokovic showed no signs of rust. He fired a fierce crosscourt winner to break early in the second set. The Serbian wrapped up that set with similar authority. The third set followed the same pattern as Djokovic powered through to victory.
"I was very fortunate early on in my career to encounter people who taught me and guided me," Djokovic reflected. "They showed me how to play the long game, not burn out too quickly, to take care of my body and mind. I'm blessed to be playing at this level and another win here tonight is a dream come true."
Sending a Message to Rivals
Much attention has focused on younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz recently. Sinner is the reigning Melbourne champion. Alcaraz currently holds the world number one ranking. Djokovic's performance served as a powerful reminder of his enduring threat.
He delivered some sublime tennis throughout the match. The Serbian called the Australian Open his favorite hunting ground. "It's definitely my favourite court, a court that has given me so much," Djokovic added. "I always try to give back and I hope you enjoyed the tennis."
Djokovic will face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the next round. He hopes to continue his winning momentum in Melbourne. The Serbian legend continues to rewrite the tennis history books with each victory.
