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.

Novak Djokovic may be bypassing the ATP Finals this week, but that doesn’t mean that the 38-year-old might be closer to calling time on his record-setting career.

After winning the weekend title in his new home base of Athens – at an event owned and run by himself and his family – the 24-time Grand Slam winner dropped the hint that he hopes to stay in the mix until the 2028 Olympics.

Djoko won the gold medal at the Paris Games and indicated that he wanted to defend Serb colours in the Los Angeles in just over two and a half years.

“I’ve always had this throughout my life and my career, I’ve always had a schedule in my head for a year or more, what I want, how I want it,” he said.

“Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag, that would be nice.”

But the winner of 101 career titles said that his future fitness will eventually be the deciding factor..

“I really don’t know, because there are some things that are not entirely in my control. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible mentally and physically.”

Djokovic qualified long ago into the eight-man Finals field in Turin but opted not to take his place. That handed the eighth spot to his defeated Athens final opponent Lorenzo Musetti of Italy

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic winning his “home” tournament in Athens