Novak Djokovic made light work of his straight sets Australian Open first-round victory over Pedro Martinez, 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, wrapping up the win in just two hours. 

In doing so Djokovic notched up his 100th win at the Australian Open, as he looks to make it a record  25^th  Grand slam title and his 11th title in Melbourne.

He also becomes the only player to record 100 or more victories at three different Grand Slams. 

Since making his Australian Open debut in 2005 he has lost only 10 matches.

Remarkably Djokovic did not play a single competitive warm-up match ahead of this first-round encounter,  his last appearance coming when beating  Lorenzo Musetti in the Hellenic Championship in Athens, his latest residential home base, over  two months ago.

The 4^th seeded and 4^th ranked in the world Serb said after the match, “the opportunity to break tennis records has served as a great motivation for my continuing career”

“I always give my best, it’s a great motivation, particularly last five-10 years,” Djokovic. “Once I got myself in a position that I could make history, I was even more inspired to play my best tennis”

“I was very fortunate early on in my career to encounter people who taught me and guided me to play the long shot with my career. Not to burn out too quickly. Take care of my body, my mind, and try to have as long a career as possible”

“I’m blessed to still be playing at this level. Another win tonight here is a dream come true

Djokovic called tonight’s victory “a serving masterclass”  winning  93% of points behind his first serve.

 Djokovic will play Italian qualifier  Francesco Maestrelli in the second round.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic – by ISF Ltd

Novak Djokovic is aiming to keep his top form for a few more seasons, with the Serb dreaming of a career finale at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The former world No. 1 Serb who will start his 2026 season in Adelaide prior to the January 18 start of the Australian Open, told a sports conference in Dubai of his master plan.

“I do want to keep on going,” the 38-year-old said. “I’ve said LA Olympics, 2028, is kind of a guiding star, but honestly, there’s no limit. So let’s see…

“I just keep going. I love hitting the tennis ball, and I love competing. I was saying to the guys that I was talking to, the greats in football, that it’s really about passion and love.

“As long as you really feel like you’re playing on a high level and your body holds on, why not?”

The winner of 24 Grand Slam singles titles has not owned a major in two years (2023 US Open) and notched trophies last season at 250 events in Geneva and Athens.

In a Tour now dominated by young guns Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the veteran is having his troubles in keeping up.

He managed semi-finals of all four Slams in 2025 and claimed a 100th career title with his Geneva success last May, one of only 13 events he played last season.

Last year’s finalist shot out of the blocks on Monday with a 6-3, 6-4 group defeat of Lorenzo Musetti to begin his run at the ATP Finals with a convincing win.

Musetti, second Italian in the eight-man field along with Jannik Sinner, came to the court with an obvious energy deficit after playing the Athens final on Saturday against Novak Djokovic – the conclusion of a week where three of his four matches stretched to three sets.

Musetti only earned a Turin place when Djokovic declined to play here in the multi-million-dollar end-of-season payday,

Fritz lost the final a year ago to Sinner but was able to stay in control against a tiring Musetti.

The Californian hammered 13 aces among his 34 winners and put his opponent under pressure, converting on two of a dozen break chances.

Musetti, who saved a match point in the penultimate game, had won three previous matches with Fritz and the American was glad to take some revenge.

But the winner said he had to work himself into the match against a tricky opponent.”It felt really good at the end of the first set and through the second,” he said. “I had some early nerves and played a sketchy game early on.

“But I came through with serve, I was able to buy time and ease into it, figure out how to best structure the points.”

Fritz said that Musetti can make life uncomfortable on court. “he does a lot of things that bother me. His slices float and that can be annoying.

“I don’t have the pace to work with, but with this faster court I was able to be aggressive and rush him.”

Fritz is expected to duel in the group with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, with both men winning their opening group matches in straight sets.

Main photo:- Taylor Fritz winning his first round robin match – by International Sports Fotos