Novak Djokovic the only player to achieve this feat following latest Grand Slam win

Shahida Jacobs
Novak Djokovic applauding
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match

Novak Djokovic’s list of achievements just gets longer by the match and he has added another couple to his record following his first-round victory at the 2024 Australian Open.

Not too many people would have predicted that Djokovic would have to work so hard for his opening win, but 18-year-old Dino Prizmic gave him a real run for his money on Rod Laver Arena.

The Croat took a set off the 10-time Melbourne Park champion and saved six match points before Djokovic eventually secured a 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 victory on the opening night with three of the four sets taking longer than an hour to complete.

“He deserved all the applause and all the credit he got tonight, he’s an amazing player, so mature … he really gave me a run for my money,” Djokovic said.

“It was an amazing performance for a teenager who never had the experience of playing on such a big stage.

“I started well for a 36-year-old, jeez, if you think about it I’m double his age. I had some good moments (but) physically I’m still finding myself on the court.”

Djokovic managed to achieve a few milestones along the way.

A Class Of His Own

It was Djokovic’s 90th match win at the Australian Open and in the process he became the first men’s player with 90+ wins at three different Grand Slams. He has won 92 matches at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon to go with his 90 at Melbourne Park.

Roger Federer’s three best Grand Slams in terms of match wins are the Australian Open (105), Wimbledon (102) and the US Open (89) while Rafael Nadal has won 112 at Roland Garros, 77 at the Australian Open and 67 at the US Open.

Other Incredible Stats

The match lasted four hours and one minute and it was Djokovic’s longest first-round match at a Grand Slam. His previous longest match was three hours and 57 minutes against Gael Monfils at the 2005 US Open.

Djokovic hasn’t lost a match at the Australian Open since 2018 as he has now won 29 matches in a row. He has won four titles during that time.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner has won 68 consecutive first-round matches at Grand Slams. The last time he lost in the opening round of a major was at the 2006 Australian Open.

The Serbian is also the player with the most Grand Slam singles match wins in the Open Era against qualifiers. His win against Prizmic puts him on 22 – one ahead of Serena Williams.

Djokovic will face either Alexei Popyrin or Marc Polmans in the next round.

READ MORE: ‘You can’t argue with the stats that Novak Djokovic has put on the board, but…’ says Andre Agassi

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