Novak, Evergreen

In what seems like many an age ago, but in truth was only an era earlier, the great John McEnroe – winner of eight singles Grand Slam titles himself – predicted the rise of Roger Federer, before Federer eventually became the Federer we all know. Watching him from the quaint commentary booth of Centre Court at Wimbledon 2003, McEnroe announced that the Swiss star has what it takes to not only win a Grand Slam, which he would a fortnight later on those hallowed lawns, but also what it takes to become the greatest tennis player of all time. Some two decades after that prediction more than bore fruit, McEnroe looked into the camera at the ongoing Australian Open and had something similar to say about the teenage qualifier, Joao Fonseca from Brazil.

Fonseca had just won his first match at a major in his maiden attempt, putting away the ninth seeded Andrey Rublev from Russia in straight sets in the first round of this Aussie Open. Then, McEnroe said: “He’s the next Carlos Alcaraz,” referring to the fully formed 21-year-old from Spain, the youngest ever World No.1, one who already has four Grand Slam titles to his name; a boy who, if he is to win an Australian Open, would also become the youngest ever to claim a Career Slam (all four of the sport’s majors). This was supposed to be the era of Alcaraz and young Jannik Sinner of Italy, the two of them having cornered six Slams between them in quick succession, but already there seems to be a real pretender to the throne.

But perhaps the real reason why the era hasn’t yet fully shifted hands is because a certain Serb by the name of Novak Djokovic is still around, and very much in search of becoming the first man or woman to own 25 singles Grand Slam titles. The long and great era of the Big Four – Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray – all but screeched to a standstill last year, with the retirements of Nadal and Murray, who joined Federer in post-tennis bliss. But until Djokovic is plying his trade, the era ought to still belong to him, as he has reminded the tennis world twice already in the first week of this year’s first Grand Slam.

Djokovic’s unbelievable longevity is best seen not by his age, 38 later this year, or the fact that his once fierce rival in Murray is now his coach, or that he remains a real contender in Melbourne despite the rise of kids (Fonseca) less than half his age. No, none of that is a truer reflection of his long stay at the top than the number he achieved by beating Jaime Faria in the second round: 430. The win against Faria was Djokovic’s 430 appearance in a Grand Slam match, now one more than Roger. No other man has over 400; Djokovic is threatening to take this record too to unfathomable places.

The first appearance came right here in Melbourne back in 2005, against eventual winner Marat Safin. Twenty years later, he has won the Aussie Open a record 10 times, the French Open on three occasions, Wimbledon seven and the US Open four times, for a grand total of 24 – two better than anyone else in the men’s game. In between, he won more Masters-1000 titles than anyone else and even clinched an Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games last year, salvaging an otherwise title-void 2024. Now he is looking in shape for another crown in his favoured Slam, with Murray in tow, and against opponents who have spent less time on earth than he has on professional tennis courts.

Could he make it No.25? We’ll have to wait and watch, but one thing is for sure. He will up his now new Grand Slam appearance record to at least 431, when he enters the Rod Laver Arena for his third round match.

Grand SlamMarat SafinNovak DjokovicRoger FedererWimbledon