As the 112th edition of the Australian Open championships commenced on Sunday 14th January, 2024, we look into potential records that are set to be broken by the top ranked ATP lads in Melbourne at this season’s opener.
Just to name a few, Novak Djokovic has the potential to break Margaret Court’s record for the most Grand Slam singles titles won, extend his record for the most men’s singles titles at the Australian Open, and become the first person to win 25 singles titles. These achievements would come ahead of the Australian Open in 2024.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
World No.1 Novak Djokovic could extend his record for the most Australian Open championship wins (male) in the Open Era – he has won 10 times and this would be his 11th men’s singles title at the Australian Open.
If he wins, Djokovic could tie Margaret Court’s record for the most Australian Open singles titles (male or female) – 11.
The 36-year-old Serbian could also become the first player (male or female) to win 25 singles Grand Slam titles if he wins his 25th trophy at the Australian Open, which would also break his current tie with Margaret Court who also won 24 singles titles.
The Serb could increase his record for the most appearances in the Australian Open men’s singles finals in the Open Era (currently 10, would be 11) .
Djokovic, who currently holds the highest winning percentage in the men’s singles matches at the Australian Open with 91.8% might be seeking to increase such feat. Recall that, Djokovic is one of the three players to cross the 90% threshold (Jimmy Connors – 91.7% & Andre Agassi – 90.6%).
The 36-year-old could break the record of Roger Federer and become the second oldest Australian Open Men’s singles winner, second oldest male player to win a Grand Slam, and second oldest player (male or female) to win a Grand Slam with Ken Rosewall being the oldest winner at 37 years old (also winning Australian Open in 1972) – at the time of his last win in 2018, Federer was 36 years and 5 months old, and Djokovic will be 36 years and 8 months old at the time of the Australian Open finals in 2024 (this applies to the Open Era) .
He could also break another record currently held by Federer and Rosewall – winning the Australian Open men’s singles finals in the Open Era without dropping a set – Federer did so in 2007 and Rosewall in 1971.
With Federer having played 117 games at the Open Era, Djokovic with 97 games so far might surpass the Swiss Tennis star if he stay longer in the competition.
Moreso, Djokovic with 90 wins so far needs 12 more games to surpass Roger Federer who recorded 102 wins.
Djokovic could come closer to breaking Roger Federer’s record for the most Grand Slam appearances on hard court in the Open Era, and he could also become only the second player to cross the 200 appearances on hard court threshold, depending on how far he gets – thus far, Djokovic has made 198 hard court Grand Slam appearances, Federer 221.
Djokovic could extend his record for the most wins against Top 10 ranked ATP players – he has won 69 times since the start of the ATP’s ranking system in 1973
On the contrary, 2024 could mark the first year where Djokovic reaches the final of the Australian Open and does not win; if he loses in the first round, that would make him only the second top seeded player to do so after Lleyton Hewitt who did so in 2002.
CARLOS ALCARAZ
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz could become only the 4th player in the Championship Era to win the men’s singles Australian Open title before turning 21 (with the other 3 being Novak Djokovic, Mats Wilander & Stefan Edberg)
If he wins the Australian Open title, Alcaraz would become only the 4th player in the Open Era to win three Grand Slam titles before turning 21 (with the other 3 being Rafael Nadal, Mats Wilander & Bjorn Borg)
The 20-year-old Spaniard could also become only the second player to win 5+ Grand Slam matches against Top 5 ranked players before turning 21 – the first one to do so was Mats Wilander.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
Russian Daniil Medvedev ranked as the third best player in the world could become the first player born after 1990 to win 10+ Grand Slam matches against Top 10 ranked players.
JANNIK SINNER
Italian Jannik Sinner and World No.4 could become the second Italian male player to win a Grand Slam championship in the Open Era after Adriano Panatta who won French Open in 1976, and the 4th player (male or female) overall – Francesca Schiavone won the French Open in 2010 and Flavia Pennetta won the US Open in 2015.
The player who had an incredible end to his 2023 season could also become the first Italian player to reach a Grand Slam singles finals match on a hard court in the Open Era.
HOLGER RUNE
Rune could become the first Scandinavian to reach the Grand Slam semi-finals or finals before turning 21 since Stefan Edberg did so in 1987 (and he ended up winning the Australian Open).
DOMINIC THIEM
Thiem could become the first player born after 1990 to win 10+ Grand Slam matches against Top 10 ranked players.
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