He is one step away from history. A match to achieve a completely unprecedented feat. This Sunday, in the final of the Australian Open against Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic faces his destiny. A Grand Slam finalist for the 38th time in his career, the Serbian legend can add a 25th title to his record, further isolating himself in the ranking of Major winners.
The list of his records is already endless, and it could be even more so. Friday, by taking the scalp of double title holder Jannik Sinner, the record holder for the number of weeks spent in 1st place in the world rankings (428) has already become the third oldest player in the Open era (from 1968) to reach the final of a Grand Slam, at 38 years and 8 months. Only Ken Rosewall did better, twice in the same year, 1974.
However, the Australian had never taken this final step towards the title. Beaten by Jimmy Connors, he nevertheless remains the oldest winner of a Major. It was at the 1972 Australian Open, at 37 years and 2 months. A record that Novak Djokovic can therefore improve if he beats world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz this Sunday at Melbourne Central.
Already in the final in 2007
Proof of his exceptional longevity, the Serbian reached his 38th final 18 years and 5 months after his first. It was then at the 2007 US Open, with a three-set defeat to Roger Federer. Despite particularly long careers, Rafael Nadal (17 years between Roland-Garros 2005 and Roland-Garros 2022) and Roger Federer (16 years between Wimbledon 2003 and Wimbledon 2019) have not been as resilient.
Already a record holder for the number of Grand Slams, Novak Djokovic can therefore add a 25th to his bag. This would be his 11th Australian Open. For comparison, Roy Emerson and Roger Federer, second in the ranking of Australian Major winners, have won “only” six.
For Carlos Alcaraz, it would be the 7th. But the Australian Open is above all the only Grand Slam which is still missing from its immense list of achievements. At 22 years and 7 months, the Spaniard can become the youngest player in history to achieve the “Career Grand Slam”, that is to say win the four majors in his career.
