Novak Djokovic creates instant history by matching stunning Roger Federer record

Novak Djokovic hadn’t even picked up his racket before he made tennis history at the Australian Open on Monday.

A remarkable record was equalled as soon as he walked out onto the court at the Rod Laver Arena to take on Pedro Martinez.

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The Serbian icon has now made the most men’s Grand Slam main draw appearances of all time, with this being the 81st of his career.

He has tied the legendary Roger Federer at the impressive number, also equalling Feliciano Lopez at the same time.

It means Djokovic can become the outright leader for Grand Slam appearances at the French Open later this year.

The 38-year-old made his first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam 21 years ago at the 2005 Australian Open.

He took on the World No.4 at the time, Marat Safin, and was thrashed by the Russian, who was also a US Open champion, in straight sets.

Djokovic was beaten 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 to crash out in the first round.

Safin went on to win the title that year, while the defeat for Djokovic remains one of the heaviest in his entire career to date.

Now a veteran, he is eyeing a record 25th major title at the 2026 Australian Open, having become an icon of the sport.

He holds the record for the most titles in Melbourne with 10, and he will hope to extend that with another historic win.

Djokovic won the opening set against Martinez and looks to be on his way to keeping that dream alive early in the tournament.

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More history to come?

Djokovic can make even more history at the Australian Open this month, with three more chances at records.

He can become the first male player ever to win 100 or more matches at three separate Grand Slam events, having done so already at the French Open and at Wimbledon.

Federer and Djokovic are level at two events currently, but with the latter on 99 wins Down Under, a victory over Martinez in the first round would see him make history.

On top of that, he has the chance to break Federer’s record for the most wins ever at the Australian Open, 102.

Djokovic sits on 99 heading into the tournament and will be hopeful of claiming four more to beat the Swiss legend.

He can also become the first man to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins in total with another three in Melbourne.

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‘I still have the drive’

Djokovic may be 38 and without a Grand Slam in almost three years, but he has not lost hope that he can win the Australian Open.

Speaking about having to compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, he admitted: “I know that, when I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody.

“If I don’t have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn’t be here.

“I still have the drive and, of course, I understand that Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That’s a fact, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance.

“So, I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”