"The very first point of Novak Djokovic's 2026 season offered an instant reminder of his enduring greatness. Djokovic started his first match of his Australian Open campaign, also his opening match of the season, by working his way through a breathless 17-stroke rally and then punctuating the exchange with a perfectly timed forehand winner. He could not help but chuckle at his own genius."
"It was the Serb's 100th win at the Australian Open, a feat he has also achieved at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Djokovic seems to create history every time he steps on to a tennis court these days, and this occasion was no different. By simply lining up to the baseline against Martinez, Djokovic tied Roger Federer's record of most main-draw appearances at the Australian Open (21), a tournament he has won a record 10 times,"
Novak Djokovic began the 2026 season with a spectacular opening point, finishing a 17-stroke rally with a perfectly timed forehand and a chuckle. He eased to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Pedro Martinez in his first match of the Australian Open. The win was Djokovic's 100th at the tournament and tied records for main-draw and grand-slam appearances while extending his record ten Australian Open titles. At 38 he chases becoming the oldest men's grand-slam winner. Martinez, ranked 71, favors clay and the Challenger tour and lacked the firepower to trouble Djokovic. Djokovic's serve, forehand, movement, defence and anticipation remained exceptional.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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