Djokovic equals two all-time records and wins his 100th match at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic had the big stage and a list of milestones that he needed to celebrate with his 100th win at the Australian Open.

He delivered the kind of performance that showed his rivals and his fans he's here with a single objective: a 25th Grand Slam title.

The 38-year-old Djokovic equaled two all-time tennis records by starting his 21st Australian Open and his 81st Grand Slam event, and he added another milestone Monday night with his 100th win at Melbourne Park.

He already owns so many tennis records, but he really liked the sound of this one.

“I mean, what can I say? Centurion is pretty nice,” Djokovoic said after his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 first-round win over Pedro Martinez of Spain. “Nice feeling.”

His record now stands at 100-10 at the Australian Open, where he's won 10 titles. And that makes him the first man to win 100 or more matches on three surfaces at the Grand Slams, with his 102 on grass at Wimbledon and 101 on clay at Roland Garros.

What the winner of 24 major championships really wants more than anything is to win six more matches across the next two weeks, enough to become the most decorated tennis player of all time. He already owns the records for most men's Grand Slam singles titles and most in the Open era.

On Monday, he equaled Federer's 21 Australian Open appearances, and the overall Grand Slam record that Federer shared with Feliciano Lopez.

“History making is a great motivation,” he said.

Djokovic showed signs of vintage form, with a running crosscourt forehand winner near the end of the first set that he saluted with a ripping-the-cord celebration.

In the third set, he said he was channeling Gael Monfils when he leaped into another forehand and smacked a winner crosscourt.

His service stats laid down a solid marker: 77% first serves in, 93% first serve points won, 85% second serve points won and 14 aces. He didn't face a break point.

“Performance-wise, the feeling on the court, it was great. I couldn’t ask for more. Obviously a great serving performance,” he said, adding that the commanding victory was “sending the right signal, not just to yourself but to all your opponents.”

Speaking of opponents, he has noticed that the reworked Carlos Alcaraz service motion looks remarkably like his own. He joked that he'd been in touch with the 22-year-old Spaniard, who is trying to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian title.

“As soon as I saw it, I sent him a message (and) I said, 'You know, we have to speak about the copyrights!” he joked in his post-match news conference.

“Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about percentage of his winnings,” he added, smiling. “Every ace I expect a tribute to me!”

Djokovic didn't play any warmup tournaments, saving himself for the big occasion in a bid to win a major title that has eluded him since 2023.

“I’m using every hour that I can to get my body recovered and in shape for the next challenge,” he said.

He reached the semifinals at all four majors in 2025 but couldn't break the stranglehold that Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — the rivalry known as Sincaraz — have had on the biggest trophies in the sport for the last two years.

Djokovic acknowledged ahead of the tournament that Alcaraz and two-time defending Australian Open champion Sinner are playing on a different level right now, but he said if he can put everything together at the right time he's still capable of beating anyone.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his first round match against Pedro Martinez of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

France, Scotland or Ireland will clinch the most fun Six Nations in years on Saturday.

Predictions have been torn up and one last twist in the final round of a gripping championship would not surprise.

France is in pole position to win successive titles for the first time since 2006-07. France leads Scotland in the table only on points difference. Its massive though. Ireland is two points behind.

The French have the advantage of closing the championship at a packed Stade de France against an underwhelming England, knowing what they will need to do four hours after Ireland hosts Scotland in Dublin.

Scotland blew open the title race after destroying France's Grand Slam hopes 50-40 in Edinburgh last Saturday.

Scotland's most basic route to a first title since the 1999 Five Nations is beating Ireland and France losing to England. But Scotland hasn't beaten Ireland since 2017 and not in Dublin since 2010. Ireland has been the graveyard of Scotland dreams in their last 11 contests.

Ireland's simplest path to a third title in four years is beating Scotland and also hoping England beats France.

A draw and/or bonus points spin out the scenarios.

Ireland and Scotland are also in the first showdown since 2009 for the Triple Crown, awarded to the home nation which beats the other three home nations. Ireland won it in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Scotland last won it in 1990.

The championship goes into the last round with a first three-way title shootout since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an October finish. England won on points difference after Ireland and France couldn't meet scoring requirements.

The other Six Nations match on Saturday is also tasty: Wales hosts Italy in Cardiff. Wales is trying to end a 15-match losing streak in the tournament; Italy is trying for three wins in a single championship for the first time.

Fabien Galthié, France: “We don’t dwell on what just happened (against Scotland), we focus on what's coming next. What matters to us is that we've earned the right to play for the win on Saturday. We'll assess the tournament with its highs and lows later. In this Six Nations championship everything can change from one day to the next. All six teams have experienced positive periods and more challenging times. But the most important thing is that we have the opportunity to play for the win on Saturday night. And that's what motivates us.”

Gregor Townsend, Scotland: “No (I haven't thought of winning the title). It's out of our hands, really. We can only do a certain amount. It's a game against an opponent that's had the upper hand on us for years. It's a challenge but a real opportunity for us to go and deliver an even better performance than we did last week. If we win the game we know there's something at stake. That performance (against France) was close to the best that we've seen from this group and from probably any Scotland team. I think the belief is there that when we get our game right it can put pressure on any defense, and when we get our defense in place we can frustrate opposition. But this is a different challenge. Ireland seem to play very well against us so that's what we’re expecting.”

Andy Farrell, Ireland: “Of course you would like to dream (of the title) but the rest is out of our hands. But something is in our hands and we will focus on our performance, first and foremost. It would be nice to win something that is pretty special for us and that's the Triple Crown. It's been hard to come by over the years when playing for Ireland so we're desperate to get across that. (Scotland) were outstanding against France and we have been preparing for another Scottish performance like that. We'll have to be at our best to beat them as they are a side we have always respected.”

Super Saturday

Ireland vs. Scotland, Dublin, 1410 GMT

Wales vs. Italy, Cardiff, 1640 GMT

France vs. England, Paris, 2010 GMT

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Ireland's players celebrate after their teammate Jamie Osborne scored a try during a Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Wales in Dublin, Ireland, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Scotland's Kyle Steyn celebrates scoring a try during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

France's Antoine Dupont and Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, left, in action during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)