Novak Djokovic’s seven most significant matches revealed – from a Melbourne breakthrough to his crowning glory

Novak Djokovic has ended the debate over who will be marked down in history as the greatest player of all-time – yet this status seemed impossible to imagine at the start of his career.

Djokovic’s stunning form in 2023 saw him win three more Grand Slam titles to take his total to 24, two ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal.

He also finished the year as world No 1 for a record eighth time and continues to set records that may never be beaten in the men’s game. 

This glorious crescendo to Djokovic’s career seemed improbable in his early days when he played the bridesmaid to Nadal and Roger Federer in his first few contests with his two great rivals in the race to be the greatest player of all-time.

Djokovic pulled out of matches due to injury and had a reputation for failing to get over the winning line when it mattered most against Nadal and Federer.

Roll the clock forward and Djokovic is viewed as the ultimate warrior on court, who never surrenders in the face of adversity.

Here are the seven matches that helped to transform his image from the nearly man of tennis to the sport’s ultimate champion.

2008 Australian Open semi-final

Beat Roger Federer 7-5 6-3 7-6(5)

Federer held the upper hand against Djokovic in their early meetings and in two previous clashes at Grand Slam events, the Swiss maestro served up straight-set wins.

Yet the 2008 Australian Open clash was the first time Djokovic got the better of the world No 1 in a major tournament and it gave him belief that he could match the best player in the world when it mattered most.

2010 Davis Cup Final 

Beat John Isner 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7 6-4

All the pressure was on young Djokovic to carry his beloved Serbia to Davis Cup glory and he appeared to be cracking when he was pushed into a fourth set by big-serving Isner.

Yet he found a way to hold his nerve and win a match that sent the Serbian nation into ecstasy as they won the Davis Cup for the first time. It also confirmed Djokovic was a big-match player who could hold his nerve under the most intense pressure imaginable.

2011 Wimbledon Final

Beat Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3

Djokovic lost his first five Grand Slam matches against Nadal and there was a feeling that when the pressure was applied, the Spaniard would find a way to beat his younger rival.

Djokovic turned it all around as he won his first Wimbledon title, with his triumph coming amid a sparkling 2011 season that saw him establish himself as the best player in the world.

2012 Australian Open Final

Beat Rafael Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5

The day Djokovic confirmed he was a man of steel against the ultimate warrior Nadal.

This incredible match lasted five hours and 53 minutes and famously, both struggled to stand up during the presentation of the trophies and were given chairs to sit on.

2015 French Open quarter-final

Beat Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 6-1

Djokovic was now established as one of the game’s all-time greats, but he was a long way behind Federer and Nadal in the race to win the most Grand Slam titles back in 2015.

This win against Nadal at Roland Garros saw him become one of only two players to beat the clay court king (the other being Robin Soderling in 2009) on the court where he built his legend. 

2016 French Open Final

Beat Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4

Djokovic’s win against Nadal in the 2015 edition of the French Open did not lead to his ultimate victory on the red clay in Paris, as he lost in the final against Stan Wawrinka.

So all the pressure was on Djokovic as he looked to win the only major title missing from his collection and he looked to be in trouble after dropping the first set. He rediscovered his composure to seal his legacy as among the game’s all-time greats with an emotional win.

2019 Wimbledon Final

Beat Roger Federer 7-6 1-6 7-6 4-6 13-12

Just when it seemed as if the veteran Federer would have one final Grand Slam final win over Djokovic, he failed to make the most of two match points and eventually buckled in a fifth set tie-break.

This four-hour, 57-minute epic is probably the match that Federer regrets losing more than any other in his career as it was his last chance to add to his Grand Slam haul. It may also be Djokovic’s most satisfying victory.

“The sets that I won were all won in tiebreaks,” reflected Djokovic. “Overall, if you see stats, he was the far better player in every aspect, but I won the match. So that actually tells you can still win if you pick and choose which moments of the match you’re peaking and playing your best when it matters.”