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With 100 match wins at three Slams – and approaching the mark at the fourth – Novak Djokovic sets another marker for greatness and longevity

On Monday in Melbourne, the Serb became the first male player to have at least 100 match wins at three of the four Grand Slams, and he isn’t too far from doing it at the fourth – the US Open.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. (AP Photo)Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. (AP Photo)

Timeless greatness on the tennis court requires a combination of success and longevity. In a sport where the narrative is largely set by the four Grand Slam tournaments, the number of titles at these high-profile events is generally considered the yardstick for greatness.

In that regard, Novak Djokovic – with 24 Grand Slam singles titles – is the most successful (or greatest, take your pick). This haul has been achieved over a career spanning more than two decades and sustained excellence on a variety of surfaces and in different conditions.

On Monday in Melbourne, the Serb became the first male player to have at least 100 match wins at three of the four Grand Slams, and he isn’t too far from doing it at the fourth – the US Open.

What was the unique achievement for Djokovic in Melbourne on Monday?

The Serb’s first-round win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez, in straight sets, was his 100th at the Australian Open. The landmark is hardly surprising as Djokovic is a 10-time champion at Melbourne Park and has been playing in the senior draw there since 2005.

Has he done so at the other Grand Slams also?

Yes. Djokovic has 101 match wins at Roland Garros, where he’s a three-time champion. At Wimbledon, where the Serb has lifted the trophy seven times, he has 102 match wins.

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How many matches has Djokovic won at the US Open?

Djokovic has 95 wins at Flushing Meadows in New York, and can reach a century there if he reaches the semifinals there this year.

Who are the others to have won 100 matches at a single Grand Slam?

The only other players, apart from Djokovic, to have won a century of matches at one or more Grand Slams are Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, which lends credibility to their period of dominance.

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Federer won a record 102 matches at the Australian Open, where he clinched the title six times, and a record 105 at Wimbledon, where he is a record eight-time champion. Nadal, who ruled the Roland Garros clay during his time, taking the trophy no less than 14 times, won an astonishing 112 matches there.

Why is the century of matches at one particular tournament so special?

Grand Slam tournaments are the pinnacle of the sport, held over two weeks and considered to have the toughest competition in the sport.

A player needs to navigate seven matches to win the title, so they need to play, at the very least, 15 editions of an event to reach 100. But even the greatest of players are vulnerable to upsets; Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic had to sustain their excellence for two decades or more to get there.

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Novak Djokovic 100 wins AUS open Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Pedro Martinez of Spain in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

That explains why Federer won ‘only’ 73 matches at French Open and 89 at the US Open. Nadal had 77 match wins at the Australian Open, and is not among the top five for Wimbledon and the US Open, where he had a combined haul of six titles.

Apart from the ‘Big Three’, who has the most match wins at individual Grand Slams?

Jimmy Connors still holds the record for the most match wins at the US Open – 98 – which may fall to Djokovic later this year. He has 84 match wins at Wimbledon. Guillermo Vilas has 58 wins at Roland Garros – Bjorn Borg, who won the title six times, is not in the top five as he retired prematurely. Stefan Edberg won 56 matches at the Australian Open. But there’s a caveat: a lot of American and European players didn’t turn up for the Australian Open for a long time because of the long distance.

Has any woman won 100 or more matches at a single Grand Slam?

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Martina Navratilova won an incredible 120 singles matches at Wimbledon. Serena Williams (108) and Chris Evert (101) have done so at the US Open.

Tushar Bhaduri is a highly experienced sports journalist with The Indian Express, based in Delhi. He has been a journalist for 25 years, with 20 of those dedicated to sports reporting. Professional Background Expertise: Tushar writes on a wide variety of sports, focusing on the "bigger picture" and identifying underlying trends that impact the sporting world. Experience: He has covered numerous major global sporting events over his long career. Writing Style: He is known for providing analytical depth, often exploring governance, sportsmanship, and tactical evolutions in games like cricket, golf, and hockey. Recent Notable Articles (2025) His recent work highlights his diverse interests, ranging from the business of golf to major international cricket tournaments: Golf and Athlete Ventures: "In turf battle of golf leagues, Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh in opposite camps" (Dec 11, 2025) — A piece on the rivalry between new golf leagues promoted by Indian cricket legends. "Golf's glittering stars in India: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood... battle for $4million prize" (Oct 14, 2025) — Coverage of the biggest-ever golf tournament in India. Cricket and World Cups: "How rains in Colombo helped India stay alive in the ICC Women's World Cup" (Oct 22, 2025). "Champions Trophy: How Glenn Maxwell brain-fade proved costly" (Mar 4, 2025) — Analysis of a critical turning point in the IND vs AUS match. "IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: In PBKS and RCB, the league's underachievers look to take one step closer" (May 28, 2025). Thought Pieces and Policy: "Sportsmanship is going out of fashion" (Oct 8, 2025) — An editorial on the blurring lines between passion and provocation across various sports like chess, golf, and cricket. "Can the Italian Open really become the fifth Grand Slam in tennis?" (May 20, 2024). Olympic Sports: "Paris Olympics hockey: Why the defeat to Belgium ushers in hope and optimism for India" (Aug 1, 2024). Topics of Interest Tushar frequently writes about IPL strategy, ICC tournament planning, and profiles of rising stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He also maintains a keen interest in historical sports narratives, such as the legacy of Dhyan Chand. ... Read More

 

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