Novak Djokovic extends record over Roger Federer with latest Australian Open victory

The 24-time major winner became the outright holder for men and women for most matches played in Grand Slam tennis as he moved ahead of fellow great Federer.

The Swiss legend - who retired in September 2022 - played 429 Slam matches with the last of those coming in his quarterfinal defeat to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon in 2021.

Djokovic was more than 50 matches behind Federer at the time of the Wimbledon clash nearly four years ago, but he has racked up an incredible number of Grand Slam matches since then as he has reached seven finals, which equates to 49 matches, and also had a couple of other deep runs at the four big events.

Match No 430 was against qualifier Jaime Faria in the second round of the Australian Open and he celebrated the new milestone with a 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-2 win.

That victory also helped him to extend his record for most match wins as he now sits on 379 with Federer 10 behind.

Breaking records is something he will never take for granted.

"Grand Slam wins are what counts the most in our sport," Djokovic told Eurosport. "So you know I've been dreaming as a kid to win Wimbledon, to play Grand Slams.

"I never thought that I'll hold this record, to be honest, so it caught me by surprise, pleasantly, of course.

"Of course I'm thrilled to get this record and hopefully I can keep it going for at least a few more wins on the Grand Slam level."

When Djokovic sets his sights on something, he usually achieves it and then adds some interest to the achievement with the world No 1 ranking a case in point.

Federer held the record for most weeks at the top of the ATP Rankings as he spent 310 weeks, but Djokovic surpassed that in 2022 and his current record stands at 428.

So don't be surprised if he does indeed become the first player to compete in 500 Grand Slam matches.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to add to his other record: the man with the major titles in the Open Era.

He is on 24 and those who thought he was ready to call it a day after completing his career Golden Slam in 2024 by winning gold in the singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, are in for a surprise.

In the lead-up to the Australian Open, Djokovic's current rivals including Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime were given an opportunity to jokingly ask the tennis great a big question ahead of the 2025 season.

A laughing Auger-Aliassime wanted to know in the ATP Media video: "What else are you trying to win?"

Zverev stated: "You have 24 [Grand Slams] and you have a gold medal now. You're good, you've won everything. You don't need any more. "

Djokovic replied: "You're going to see quite a bit of me the next several years.

"I have big plans, I still have a lot to win."