Novak Djokovic broke the tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches in tennis history.

Melbourne, Australia – Novak Djokovic On Wednesday, he added another record to his long list by breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history. Australian Open What was a hard-fought second round win.

Djokovic improved to 379-51 for his career at major tournaments with a 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, an .881 winning percentage. The match was briefly interrupted by light rain before Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof was closed.

“The Grand Slams, of course, they are the pillars of our game. They mean everything to the history of the sport. … Definitely the most important tournament,” Djokovic said. “I think I’m blessed to be able to make another record today.”

Oh, yes, Djokovic already holds a number of marks, many of which belonged to Federer — who is 369-60 during his 429 Slam matches, an .860 winning percentage — and there are more on the horizon.

As in, there’s Djokovic Most Grand Slam singles titles won 24 of any man, ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20 (the other two members of the Big Three are now retired). The 37-year-old Serb has spent more weeks at number one than any other player in the rankings. He has played in 37 Slam finals, six more than Federer’s old record. And so on and so on.

Also consider what could await Djokovic.

A major title at the end of 15 days at Melbourne Park will be her 25th, a number never reached by a man or woman. It is her 11th at the Australian Open, equaling Margaret Court’s most. That would make him the oldest man in the Open era — which began in 1968 — to collect a Grand Slam singles trophy (Ken Rosewall was about six months old when he won the 1972 Australian Open). And it would be Djokovic’s 100th tour-level tournament title, an excellent round number behind only Jimmy Connors’ 109 and Federer’s 103 in the men’s Open era.

Things didn’t go well at the first tournament working with Djokovic this week in Australia Former on-court rival Andy Murray as his coach.

Both of Djokovic’s matches so far have come against a young player making his Grand Slam debut. And both times, he was pushed to four sets.

In the first round, it was against Nishesh Basavareddy, a 19-year-old American who only turned pro last month and is ranked 107th. In the second, Faria was ranked 125th, giving him a bit of a tough time, especially during a four-game run in the second set.

“He was playing lights-out tennis. … I had to weather the storm,” Djokovic said. “I think I responded very well in the third and especially the fourth, (set).”