Novak Djokovic may have lost yesterday’s Australian Open, but he should still depart Melbourne full of confidence.
After all, if anything, this remarkable run should reaffirm the fact that he can still compete with the top two players in the world.
Having beaten Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals in a five-set epic, he sadly ran out of steam against Carlos Alcaraz, having stormed into a one-set lead in the final.
Had he not been so exhausted in the match prior, he seemingly would have eased to a Grand Slam title.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
However, this renewed confidence is not the only positive he can take from such a disappointing loss. He also broke yet another record.
Novak Djokovic breaks all-time Martina Navratilova record in Australian Open final
This particular record had previously been held by Martina Navratilova, who is regarded by many as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Before yesterday, she was level with Novak Djokovic on Grand Slam final appearances in any senior category, having reached 37 major women’s doubles finals.
The Serbian, similarly, sat on 37 major men’s finals.
Simply by making an appearance against Alcaraz, that record had already fallen. He will just wish that it had come with the Australian Open trophy as well.
This is a record that Carlos Alcaraz is unlikely to break
While the tennis world watched Alcaraz become the youngest player in history to complete the career Grand Slam, all the legends of old will have started to worry.
After all, the likes of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and the greats who came before even them will be fearing for the records they have set.
Do you believe Carlos Alcaraz is already the greatest tennis player of all time?
Even the 24-time Grand Slam champion will look at his ridiculous tally of majors and think that, should Alcaraz keep this kind of form up, it will fall in no time.
Fortunately, this record of 38 Grand Slam finals seems unlikely to be broken by Alcaraz, nor will the fact that Djokovic is the oldest major finalist in Australian Open history.
The 22-year-old has expressed his disinterest in playing into his late 30s, but Alcaraz still had kind words for Djokovic and all he has given to the sport of tennis.
