The Open era began in 1968, with 17 players racking up 1,000 ATP matches. Novak Djokovic became the fifth best player on that list following his perfect start to the season and back-to-back titles in Adelaide and Melbourne.
With 12 matches under his belt, Djokovic currently has 1,249 ATP matches, leaving Guillermo Vilas at 1,248 and 39 behind Rafael Nadal.
. Ivan Lendl ranks third with 1,310 ATP duels, and Djokovic and Nadal should pass him in the next few years.
Novak has been playing ATP matches since 2004, producing unrealistic consistency and posting 1043 wins and 206 losses. The Serb arrived in Melbourne with 1042 ATP matches and extended his dominance at the Australian Open to move past Vilas and close in on Nadal.
Novak defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round, delivering a bagel in the third set to start winning. The Serb lost the second set against a qualifier Enzo Couacaud in the second round, struggling with his left leg but rallying in sets three and four to advance.
Novak had to give it his all against Grigor Dimitrov, despite beating the Bulgarian in straight sets! Djokovic’s injury did not play well in the first set, but he fought hard to dominate the opponent, seal the deal in three sets and preserve energy.
Not knowing what to expect, Novak stepped onto the pitch against Alex de Minaur and wished for the best. As it turned out, he didn’t feel any leg problems and destroyed his opponent in three comfortable sets in just over two hours.
Novak Djokovic has played 1,249 ATP matches since 2004.
With drive and momentum, Djokovic produced another terrific performance against Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. A nine-time champion delivered a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory in two hours and three minutes for a place in the last four.
Djokovic secured a record 27th straight Australian Open victory following a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Tommy Paul in two hours and 21 minutes. The lower-ranked player gave it his all in his first Major semifinal, erasing a massive deficit in the opener before disappearing from the pitch.
Novak lost serve twice and stole half of the return points. Djokovic made them seven breaks and made the difference. Novak was the only player on the court from the closing stages of the first set, breaking down the opposition’s resistance and marching towards the title clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Serb battled through his tenth Australian Open final and lifted the tenth trophy thanks to a 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 victory in two hours and 56 minutes. Novak got off to a great start and prevailed in the closing stages of sets two and three to emerge on top and secure his 22nd Major crown.. 
