Novak Djokovic secured a significant milestone in his legendary tennis career on Monday. He defeated Spain's Pedro Martinez in straight sets at the Australian Open. This victory marked his 100th win at the Melbourne tournament.
A Dominant Performance Under the Lights
Djokovic faced a potentially tricky first-round opponent in Martinez. However, the match quickly turned into a routine workout for the Serbian champion. He seized control early with a crucial break of serve and never loosened his grip on the contest.
The first set concluded with a comfortable 6-3 scoreline in Djokovic's favor. Despite last playing a competitive match in November, he showed no signs of rust. He unleashed a fiery crosscourt winner early in the second set, breaking Martinez's serve and maintaining his momentum to wrap it up 6-2.
Celebrating a Century of Wins
After the match, an elated Djokovic shared his thoughts on reaching the century mark. "What can I say? I like the sound of it – centurion is pretty nice. It's a nice feeling to be a centurion," he said. He acknowledged that history-making has been a great motivation, especially in the later stages of his career.
"Once I got myself into a position to eventually make history, I was even more inspired to play the best tennis, and that's what I've done," Djokovic added. He credited early guidance in his career for teaching him to play the long game, take care of his body and mind, and sustain a lengthy career at the top level.
Chasing Grand Slam History
This victory brings Djokovic closer to an unprecedented achievement. He is now aiming for his 25th Grand Slam singles title. Furthermore, he has already recorded 100 wins at both the French Open and Wimbledon. The US Open is the only major where he hasn't yet reached that milestone; he is just five victories away from 100 wins there as well.
While much of the recent spotlight has shifted to younger stars like reigning Melbourne champion Jannik Sinner and world number one Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic delivered a powerful reminder of his enduring threat. He powered through the third set with some sublime tennis, winning it 6-2 to seal the match on his favorite court.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
"It's definitely my favorite court, a court that has given me so much," Djokovic stated about the Rod Laver Arena. "I always try to give back and I hope you enjoyed the tennis." He will return to action in the next round against Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, hoping to continue his quest for another Australian Open title.
Djokovic's career continues to be defined by relentless pursuit of records. This latest milestone at the Australian Open adds another chapter to his storied legacy in the sport.
