Another Major, another record for Novak Djokovic! The 24-time Major champion made a winning start at his beloved Australian Open, beating the young American Nishesh Basavareddy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 59 minutes.

Novak entered the Rod Laver Arena and embraced his 429th Major match, equalling Roger Federer’s record and arranging to set the record on Wednesday morning! Djokovic holds an impressive 378-51 record at Majors since debuting in Melbourne in 2005.

The Serb became a Major contender in 2007 after playing his first final at the US Open. Djokovic lifted his first Major crown in Melbourne in 2008 and became a player to beat at notable tournaments in 2011. Novak delivered incredible numbers at Majors in the span of six years.

He played 156 encounters at the four most significant tournaments between 2011 and 2016, entering the GOAT race with Federer and Nadal. The Serb missed two Majors in 2017 due to an injury before returning to a high pace in 2018.

Novak lifted 12 Major crowns between 2018 and 2023, collecting almost every notable record and terminating the GOAT race with 24 Major titles by his name! At 37 years and seven months, Djokovic will become a player with most matches at Majors.

It’s another testimony of his everlasting class and unmatched desire. Novak is ready to chase more Major glory in 2025, focusing on the most significant tournaments after winning the Olympic Games gold medal in Paris last August.

The veteran had to work hard in his 429th Major match against the 19-year-old. Nishesh claimed the opening set before Novak took charge from the second set and moved into the second round in Melbourne for the 18th straight year.

Djokovic played against three break points and lost serve once. He landed 51 winners and 41 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and converting four of 11 break points.

Basavareddy debuted at Majors and made it memorable! He outplayed the legend in the first set and claimed it with a single break. The American denied a break point in three games of the opening set. He stole Novak’s serve in the seventh game with a return winner.

A teenager saved a break point in the eighth game and another while serving for the set at 5-4. Basavareddy held and won the opener 6-4, providing a massive boost. Djokovic saved break points at 1-2 in the second set.

He grabbed a break in the eighth game and landed a service winner at 5-3 to level the overall score. Nishesh experienced cramps in the second set and asked for a medical timeout. He lost serve in the first game of the third set after a double fault.

Djokovic kept the advantage with five comfortable holds and wrapped up the set at 5-4 for two sets to one advantage. The ten-time champion clinched another break at the beginning of the fourth set and saved a break point at 2-1 to remain in front.

The young gun lost serve from 40-0 in the fifth game and fell further behind after a loose volley. Nishesh saved two match points in the seventh game, extending the battle and showing his fighting spirit. However, Novak moved over the top with his 23rd ace in game eight.