NOwhacks his way to 430th singles win in Grand Slams

It was the day of the oldies at the Australian Open on Wednesday. If grand old man Novak Djokovic demolished one more record, the one standing in the name of Roger Federer to win his 430^th match at Grand Slams, it was proof he cannot be written off. This was not the Rolls Royce version of Novak on view -- smooth and racing.  He looked a bit like an old jalopy against qualifier Jaime Faria but used his massive experience to triumph in four sets. To be playing in the afternoon heat at the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne is not easy. Novak has preserved himself and what he eats and drinks has ensured he is in good shape and has sufficient fuel to keep pushing himself.

For those who have seen him win matches even when he is not fit, there is education. He adjusts, tinkers his game and ensures he can outlast the opponent mentally. His second-round win may have looked least elegant but what’s important, Novak is still hanging in there. At four months shy of 38, he defines how to stay fit, showcase match endurance and win. To clock 430 wins in Majors is no mean feat. For those who may be tempted to start comparing Novak with RF or even Serena Williams. She won 423 matches in arguably the most lavish career in women’s tennis,. Roger Federer was royal, Serena was a beauty of a giant and Novak is a romantic relic, the best ambassador the sport of tennis can have.

At more or less the same time on Wednesday, a German lady pulled of a major upset as well at the AO. Relatively unknown, 36-year-old German Laura Siegumund showed an aggressive streak as she dumped Chinese superstar Zheng Qinwen in the second round. Last year, Qinwen had made the final at the Australian Open where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. She had also won the Paris 2024 Olympics gold medal, like Novak, so she was the favourite.  For her part, the German was strong in her game and showed that despite a singles ranking near the 100 region, she could go strong. She showed will and skill to cause a major upset, since Qinwen is touted as a champion now. Former champion, Naomi Osaka, too, reached the third round of a Major for the first time since 2022.

Back to the golden oldie, it had to be Novak in control despite a long match. How much of preparation he has done in his career, how much he still loves the sport is defining. One often talks of how players should retire at the peak. No, not Novak, nor Tiger Woods or Virat Kohli. It helps, Novak is an individual sport and can keep reinventing his game. That is why he has chosen Andy Murray as coach to add a few more dimensions. And the onsite coaching stuff is like an open book exam where if there is something out of syllabus, you can still manage it.

The import of 430 singles wins in Grand Slams over a monumental career needs to be celebrated. Tennis has been losing icons, some retiring due to age, some having spent all their lives entertaining fans, and some unable to withstand the pressure. Novak is high intensity and has to be measured not against someone else but his own lofty standards. Nobody is going to win 24 Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis ever again, so enjoy the magic moments which Novak produces. Serena had tried really hard to cross the mark of 23 Grand Slam titles and tripped. She was unlucky, and her close efforts after returning from maternity leave were defining. Plus, one cannot forget, she had won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as well.

Why this deserves mention now is to add context and put it in perspective. Novak has been clean, a super human of sorts. He has faced hostile crowds, pungent media, shown he can win matches despite some niggle in his body. He has been seen with a serving arm sleeve at the beginning of 2024 and then sustained a knee meniscus tear at the French Open. To ‘repair’ himself and come back fighting, it’s true Serbian spirit. That’s how important the 430 wins are for him and anyone who watches tennis. This does not happen daily!