Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian icon, has once again taken center stage at the Australian Open 2026, chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title. Despite skipping the Adelaide International due to fitness concerns, Djokovic placed all his chips on Melbourne—his fortress, where he already owns a record 10 Australian Open crowns.
Djokovic opened his campaign in commanding fashion, defeating Pedro Martinez in straight sets to register his 100th career Australian Open victory. He followed it up with a ruthless win over qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, showing sharp baseline control and trademark return pressure.
A Fortunate but Unusual Journey
The Serbian legend’s path has been anything but typical. After surviving a tense third-round match—where a near-default moment briefly shook Rod Laver Arena—Djokovic advanced via a fourth-round walkover when Jakub Mensik withdrew due to injury.
In the quarter-finals, Lorenzo Musetti retired while leading the match, handing Djokovic a semifinal berth despite his own uncharacteristically error-heavy performance. Observers noted that while Djokovic remains fresh, he may also be slightly “undercooked.”
Records and Milestones
History continued to follow Djokovic. He became the first player ever to reach 400 Grand Slam singles wins and surpassed Roger Federer for the most Australian Open semifinal appearances. His victory count in Melbourne now stands at a staggering 103 wins.
Physically, Djokovic has escaped major setbacks, dealing only with a minor foot blister—an encouraging sign given his injury-hit 2025 season.
Semifinal Clash: Djokovic vs Sinner
On January 30, Djokovic faces world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster semifinal. Sinner, the two-time defending champion, has won the last five matches against Djokovic and leads the head-to-head rivalry.
Live updates suggest Sinner struck early, but Djokovic remains defiant. “I’m not waving the white flag,” he stated, emphasizing belief over age. His return game—winning 36% of return points so far—could be the decisive factor against Sinner’s aggressive serving.
The Bigger Picture
Since capturing his 101st ATP title in Athens (November 2025), Djokovic has prioritized Grand Slams over warm-up events. The strategy mirrors past seasons where he peaked on the biggest stages—even after setbacks like his 2025 semifinal retirement.
A victory over Sinner would send Djokovic into his 11th Australian Open final, bringing him one match away from redefining tennis history once again. For fans, the feeling is familiar—when Djokovic is counted out, destiny often steps in.
Djokovic may be 38, but in Melbourne, age fades and legends rise.
