Adedokun Waliyu 
Record-shattering Novak Djokovic said he was “hanging in there” after becoming the first player in history to record 400 Grand Slam match wins, following his straight-sets victory that booked him a place in the last 16 of the Australian Open.
The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on centre court, extending his own all-time record of match wins at the majors. Roger Federer, with 369 wins, and Serena Williams, with 365, trail behind him on the all-time list.
The victory was also Djokovic’s 102nd win at Melbourne Park, where he has claimed 10 Australian Open titles, drawing him level with Federer for the most singles wins at the tournament. His reward is a fourth-round clash against either Czech teenager Jakub Mensik or American debutant Ethan Quinn, whose match was delayed by extreme heat.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is enjoying a solid run as he looks to challenge the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic acknowledged the quality of the younger stars but insisted he still believes in his chances. He said he remains competitive and confident whenever he steps onto the court, particularly in Melbourne, which he described as the venue that has given him the most in his career.
However, Djokovic cautioned against getting carried away, recalling how injuries halted his progress at major tournaments last year despite reaching the latter stages. He noted that although his form was strong in 2025, injuries prevented him from going beyond the semi-finals in three of the four Grand Slams.
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 75th in the world, had beaten Djokovic at Indian Wells last year, but never looked close to repeating the upset. Djokovic produced vintage tennis early on, securing a crucial break in the opening set after a gruelling 26-point rally. He broke again in the second set but showed visible frustration as the contest became more demanding.
During the third set, Djokovic briefly worried spectators after slipping and receiving treatment during a medical timeout for foot issues. The set went to a tiebreak after both players exchanged breaks, but Djokovic’s resilience proved decisive as he closed out the match.
Reflecting on the scare, Djokovic said the fall could have been far worse but was relieved to escape serious injury. With the milestone victory secured and another Australian Open run gathering momentum, the Serbian legend continues to defy age as he pushes for further history on tennis’s biggest stage.
