At a Glance
- Novak Djokovic claimed his 100th match win at the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Pedro Martinez
- The 38-year-old now holds the unique record of 100+ wins on all three Grand Slam surfaces
- Djokovic is chasing a 25th Grand Slam title and his 11th Australian Open crown
- Why it matters: The win signals Djokovic’s intent to reclaim major glory after a two-year drought
Novak Djokovic opened his 21st Australian Open campaign with a statement performance, dismantling Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the milestone of 100 victories at Melbourne Park. The win, achieved under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena, also marked his 81st Grand Slam appearance, tying Roger Federer’s all-time mark.
A Century in Melbourne
Djokovic’s dominance on the blue hard courts is unmatched. His record now stands at 100-10 at the Australian Open, where he has lifted the trophy 10 times. Monday’s triumph made him the first man to register 100 or more match wins on three different surfaces at the majors:
- 102 wins on grass at Wimbledon
- 101 wins on clay at Roland Garros
- 100 wins on hard court at the Australian Open
“Centurion is pretty nice,” Djokovic said with a grin. “Nice feeling.”
Vintage Form on Display
The 24-time major champion needed just 1 hour 55 minutes to dispatch world No. 63 Martinez. Statistics underscored his authority:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| First-serve percentage | 77% |
| First-serve points won | 93% |
| Second-serve points won | 85% |
| Aces | 14 |
| Break points faced | 0 |
A running cross-court forehand winner late in the opening set drew the ripping-the-cord celebration that has become his trademark. In the third set he channeled showman Gaël Monfils, leaping into a forehand that painted the line.
“Performance-wise, the feeling on the court, it was great,” Djokovic said. “Obviously a great serving performance … sending the right signal, not just to yourself but to all your opponents.”
The Road to 25
While the century club is satisfying, Djokovic’s focus is clear: six more victories over the next fortnight would deliver an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. He already owns the men’s record of 24 and the Open-era mark, but extending the lead remains his “greatest motivation.”
The Serb last hoisted major silverware at the 2023 US Open. Since then, the sport’s biggest prizes have rotated between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – the duo dubbed “Sincaraz.” Djokovic reached the semifinals at all four Slams in 2025 yet fell short of the summit.
“I’m using every hour that I can to get my body recovered and in shape for the next challenge,” he said, explaining his decision to skip warm-up events. “If I can put everything together at the right time, I’m still capable of beating anyone.”
Light Moments Off Court
Even legends find room for levity. Djokovic noticed Alcaraz’s reworked service motion bears a striking resemblance to his own and fired off a playful text.
“I said, ‘You know, we have to speak about the copyrights!'” he laughed. “When I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about percentage of his winnings. Every ace I expect a tribute to me!”
Alcaraz, 22, is attempting to complete a career Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Prize Money Bump
Organizers announced the largest purse in tournament history, with singles and doubles players receiving a minimum 10 percent raise from 2024. The champion will pocket $4.15 million, the runner-up $2.15 million.
Key Takeaways
- Djokovic’s straight-sets win over Martinez vaults him into the exclusive 100-win club on three surfaces
- Dominant serving stats – 77% first serves in, 93% first-serve points won – signal intent to younger rivals
- The 38-year-old is bidding for a record-extending 25th major and 11th Australian Open crown
- A lucrative prize pool, up at least 10% across the board, awaits the eventual champion
