Can an Australian Open title settle Novak Djokovic’s GOAT claim once and for all?

MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz was just 14 the last time Novak Djokovic lost a match at the Australian Open. It was 2018, in the fourth round, and the little-known South Korean Hyeon Chung produced the performance of his life to defeat Djokovic in straight sets. This remains one of the most shocking results in Grand Slam tennis history.

Since that day, Djokovic has been in absolute tears. He won 12 of the 20 major tournaments he entered, regained the world No. 1 spot and more than doubled his career prize money, which now stands at more than $180 million.

He also went undefeated at the Australian Open and had four perfect runs to the title.

But for all the dominance in the latter phase of his glittering career and the fact that there continues to be a lack of consistent competition at the top of the men's game, there have been minor obstacles. And while it may not have been extreme panic or worry, murmurs began to bubble after Djokovic's unexpected loss to Alex de Minaur earlier this month at the United Cup in Perth.

Djokovic was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by the 24-year-old Australian, his first defeat in the United States since that match against Chung in 2018. The world number 1 suffered discomfort in his right wrist, appealing twice to a physiotherapist. during the first set. On the court, Djokovic struggled with his serve, producing an unusual number of unforced errors and winning only 49 of 117 points played.

Then, in his first round match in Melbourne on Sunday, talented Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic put him to the test and at times seemed to take the contest on his terms. Prizmic more than held his own in the baseline brawl, showcasing his Djokovic-style defensive skills and ability to attack at precisely the right moment. But in key moments, it was once again Djokovic who rose to the occasion, ultimately winning 6-2, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 to book a date with the Australian Alexei Popyrin.

The Australian Open, after all, is Djokovic's favorite and most successful event, and he has utterly dominated Melbourne Park throughout his career. Not only has he won the title 10 times – more than Roger Federer and Rod Laver combined – but he has a perfect score of 20-0 in semifinals and finals and, since the start of 2008, has posted what appears to be a impossible 87. -5 record (95% win rate) in the tournament.

If Djokovic's name appears in the draw, he is the one to beat. Period. Even at 36, he remains the sport's best player – losing to de Minaur doesn't change that – and on the fast blue courts of Melbourne Park, the gap between him and the next generation only grows wider one more time.

What is more worrying for Djokovic's rivals is that on the eve of the tournament he allayed any concerns over the wrist injury sustained against de Minaur in Perth. And at no point did it seem to bother him against Prizmic.

“My wrist is fine,” he said. “From the last match against de Minaur in the United Cup until my first match here, I had time to recover. I trained well. The training sessions have been pain-free so far.”

Bookmakers believe Djokovic is once again the man to beat, putting him among the favorites for the title ahead of the tournament. His long-time rival Andy Murray also agrees that this is Djokovic's event to lose.

“A lot of people were saying the landscape changed after Wimbledon, but it hasn't really changed. Novak won three Grand Slams and lost an epic five-set final at Wimbledon,” Murray said on the eve of the Australian Open. “When the Australian Open comes, it will not be easy for [the younger players] win against Novak in a huge match, because some of them are trying to do it for the first time. I know it doesn't get easier with age, but I still believe he's the favorite. [for the Australian Open]”.

There is also added incentive for Djokovic this year as another career-defining record looms. An unprecedented 11th crown at Melbourne Park would take her tally of major singles titles to 25, eclipsing the mark set by Margaret Court between 1960 and 1973.

This achievement could have a legitimate chance of lasting for eternity, and it will certainly tip the GOAT debate – an unofficial crown he's desperate to hold – in his favor, if it hasn't already.

For many, the title of greatest male tennis player of all time comes down to the three modern-day titans of Rafael Nadal, Federer and Djokovic. But the case for Nadal or Federer seems to diminish with each passing year as Djokovic continues to defy Father Time – he is the oldest player ranked in the top 40, at No. 1, no less – and d add to his two trophy cabinet and legacy.

Djokovic already has the most Grand Slam titles (24), the most ATP Finals (7), the most weeks at No. 1 (407), the most career prizes and the most victories against Federer and Nadal. With Federer now retired and Nadal suffering another injury setback, which forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open, both sets of numbers are unlikely to change.

Unsurprisingly, the Serb's confidence is at an all-time high. When asked before the tournament who he considered his biggest threat to the title, he jokingly replied: “myself.”

It's exciting to be part of another Grand Slam. We know what Grand Slams mean to our sport: it's where every player wants to play their best tennis,” Djokovic said. “I want to win every Grand Slam I participate in and play in. This year is no different, [and] I just hope I can start the season the same way I've started most of my seasons throughout my career: with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne. My favorite place, without a doubt. The field where I achieved great things and obtained my greatest Grand Slam results.

“I hope I can, if not play at the level I had last year, at least be very close to it, because it was one of the best levels of tennis I have played, ever played, here in Australia last year.”

Djokovic has already notched one of the seven victories required to achieve outright tennis immortality. Today, there are only six others left.