Djokovic cruised to an opening victory in straight sets, setting two major records, one of which is truly astonishing.

In the first round of the 2026 Australian Open men's singles, Serbian ace Djokovic comfortably beat Spain’s Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets, powerfully moving on to round two and marking his 100th victory at this tournament.

Prior to the match, there was widespread worry about Djokovic’s health. Although he personally denied earlier media reports of an injury sustained during training, considering his long absence from the court and his age of 38, it was uncertain whether he could display a strong competitive form at the start of the new season.

However, ESPN commentators and many tennis legends believed that despite these concerns, Djokovic’s vast Grand Slam experience combined with his fierce desire to win would enable him to start the tournament strongly.

As expected, right from the first point, Djokovic controlled the pace of the match. Facing world No. 71 Martinez, Djokovic demonstrated textbook baseline control and efficient attacking play, maintaining high effectiveness throughout. He hit 49 winners—more than triple his opponent’s count—while keeping unforced errors to a minimum.

The entire match lasted less than two hours, with Djokovic giving his opponent no chance. Utilizing deeper shot placement, precise changes of direction, and clutch serving, he broke serve repeatedly and decisively closed the match with three lopsided set scores.

This victory holds special significance as Djokovic has already surpassed 100 wins at both the French Open and Wimbledon, with 101 and 102 wins respectively. Thus, he becomes the only player in tennis history to have won at least 100 matches on all three Grand Slam surfaces: grass, clay, and hard court. With 95 wins at the US Open, he is now aiming to achieve an unprecedented milestone—100 wins at all four majors!

Additionally, before this match even began, Djokovic had already set another record: this Australian Open marks his 81st Grand Slam appearance, tying the all-time record held by Federer and Feliciano Lopez.

“Every time I step onto the court, especially at a Grand Slam, I’m making history. But that doesn’t make me complacent; it only fuels my hunger for victory,” Djokovic reflected after the match.

“Novak’s performance after turning 30 is simply unbelievable,” said former world No. 1 Jimmy Connors. “He has found a way to extend his peak career years, which is unprecedented in men’s tennis history.”

“Witnessing history! Three Grand Slams with 100 wins each, and 95 at the US Open—are these numbers even humanly possible?” a fan exclaimed on social media. Another emotionally commented, “He’s still playing, we’re still watching. Looking forward to growing old with him and seeing the day he reaches 100 wins at all four majors.”

Experienced fans analyzed, “This victory means far more than a typical first-round match. It symbolizes that after Federer’s retirement and Nadal’s gradual decline, Djokovic remains the last king of the old era, competing across generations against rising stars like Sinner and Alcaraz.”

Approaching his 39th birthday, Djokovic still ranks fourth in the world—a rarity in professional tennis. His career longevity and sustained competitiveness are nothing short of miraculous in tennis history.

Standing at the center of the court, Djokovic waved to the stands in all directions. Under Melbourne’s night sky, the 38-year-old Serbian champion’s eyes shone with the desire for more victories. The milestone of 100 wins at all four Grand Slams is within reach, and the dream of the Los Angeles Olympics lights his path. Djokovic continues to write the longest-lasting legend in tennis, with every win marking the start of a new chapter.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)