Novak Djokovic's 'insane' stats - from 100th Australian Open win to matching Roger Federer record as Tim Henman lays out next goal
By Leon Imber
Published 19/01/2026 at 16:23 GMT
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Novak Djokovic continues to defy father time, competing at the very top of the men's tennis field at the age of 38. The Serbian 24-time Grand Slam winner has sent various records tumbling throughout his career and he made yet more history by recording his 100th Australian Open victory when he emphatically downed Pedro Martinez in straight sets in the first round in Melbourne on Monday.
Highlights: Djokovic hits Aus Open century with sparkling win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Even by Novak Djokovic's era-defining standards, his first-round victory over Pedro Martinez at the Australian Open was awe-inspiring.
Not least because the 24-time Grand Slam champion was returning to competitive action for the first time since early November, having had no warm-up for the season-opening Grand Slam through fitness issues.
It was as if the 38-year-old had never been away when he took to Rod Laver Arena in Monday's evening session - effortlessly gliding around the showcase court, utterly dominating on serve and breezing through to a second-round meeting with Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli.
Might Djokovic finally clinch a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title?
"You see a performance like that, we can afford to get a little bit ahead of ourselves," said Tim Henman in the TNT Sports studio, reflecting on a performance which will at least have top two, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, sitting a little uncomfortably.
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Djokovic reflects on 'greatest rival Nadal' and Australian Open memories
Video credit: TNT Sports
'Absolutely ridiculous' serving stats
Martinez simply had no response to Djokovic's near-perfect serving game.
The Serbian lost just five points in his 13 service games, with only two of those points being dropped in the final two sets.
Further underlining the absurd statistic was the fact that Djokovic won 93% of points on his first serve - 41 out of 44.
That, in conjunction with Djokovic successfully landing 77% of his first serves, tells the story of a cultured masterclass in Melbourne's showcase arena.
What's more, Djokovic won 85% of points on his second serve, an "absolutely ridiculous" statistic, according to TNT Sports expert Laura Robson.
"If you're in the 50s, you're having a great day on that," Robson continued.
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Watch Djokovic 'painting the lines' in opening point
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fellow studio expert Henman, meanwhile, explained just how Djokovic benefited from such an efficient serving performance.
"It was absolutely phenomenal," Henman said. "You're looking to build the rhythm in your whole game in the first round of a Grand Slam.
"Novak hasn't played for some time, but the way he came out and hit his spots, was able to dictate, and if the ball did come back, it was such a strong foundation for him to build from.
"Martinez had no look at Djokovic's serve. If he is going to progress into the latter stages of the tournament, it's important he keeps that going. That conserves energy, and gives him even more freedom in the return games."
Equalling Federer record
Djokovic only had to step foot on the court in order to make another slice of tennis history.
Against Martinez, Djokovic began his 21st campaign in the Australian Open main draw. That etched his name alongside 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the record books, an indictment of the longevity enjoyed by both tennis greats in their respective, glittering careers.
That was not all - Djokovic also pulled himself level in the record books, alongside Federer and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, by starting his 81st Grand Slam tournament.
It seems certain that Djokovic will go on to break that record at the very least, with the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open later this year each presenting opportunities.
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'Clinical' Djokovic eases through opener to record 100th Australian Open win
Video credit: TNT Sports
While his age would suggest his career is waning, his performance on Monday did not tell the story of a player approaching the final years of his career.
Alas, Henman felt it was a "perfect night's work" for Djokovic to wrap up the victory in a timely, straightforward manner, in order to prevent any potential physical difficulties further in the draw.
"If you could've given Djokovic the opportunity to write the script for a first-round match, that would've been it," Henman said. "He was so clean with everything in his game.
"There were no real hiccups, no dips in concentration. We've talked about him trying to conserve energy in the latter stages of the tournament, to be out there for two hours, straight-sets victory, perfect night's work."
Ton up for Djokovic
The victory over Martinez was Djokovic's 100th at the Australian Open - 21 years after he made his debut as a qualifier, and was comprehensively beaten by eventual winner Marat Safin in the first round.
In the intervening period, the Serbian has lost just 10 matches in Melbourne, a tally which matches the number of times he has won the tournament.
No men's player has bettered his 10 winning campaigns down under, with only Margaret Court (11) surpassing him in the all-time record books.
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Remarkably, Djokovic has now won 100 or more matches at three of the four Grand Slams in the tennis calendar, becoming the first player to do so - per ATP.
"What can I say? I like the sound of it… centurion is pretty nice," Djokovic said on court. "It’s nice to be a centurion in these numbers."
Henman sets new target
The only major in which Djokovic has yet to record a century of wins is the US Open, where he currently stands at a record of 95 victories and 15 defeats.
Despite having already set the record with his century feat in Grand Slams, Henman challenged Djokovic to complete the sweep.
"With all that success, he still wants more," Henman said. "It's amazing to see him go to 100 wins in three of the four Grand Slams, it's insane.
"You think at the US Open, he only has 95, maybe that's one of the goals he can work towards to try and get to a century in New York. It's phenomenal."
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'Insane and phenomenal' - Henman wowed by Djokovic's Melbourne record
Video credit: TNT Sports
Of course, that would require Djokovic to reach the semi-finals in New York - at which point he will be 39 years of age.
By reaching the semi-final of every major tournament last season, that possibility is certainly not ruled out for Djokovic - who is sure to once again take on a reduced calendar in order to prioritise the big events.
As Alcaraz and Sinner continue to tighten their grip on the top of men's tennis, it begins to feel 'now or never' if Djokovic is playing this well, and really wants to clinch that elusive 25th Grand Slam title.
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