NOVAK DJOKOVIC EQUALS ROGER FEDERER IN MAJOR MARATHON MILESTONE
Novak Djokovic's 21st Australian Open campaign added another remarkable chapter to his Major endurance story.
The veteran faced the two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a high-stakes semi-final clash.
The 38-year-old stopped the clock and prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in four hours and nine minutes for a place in his 38th Major final. It was Djokovic's 48th five-set match at Majors.
He became only the third player to reach that number on the most notable scene in the Open era. Stan Wawrinka went to 49, while Novak matched his great rival Roger Federer on 48.
Lleyton Hewitt and Fernando Verdasco complete the top-5 chart, with 45 five-set encounters at Majors. The stat underlines the longevity and survival at the highest level.
Novak's first five-setter at Majors came at Wimbledon in 2005, a couple of weeks after his 18th birthday. Nearly 21 years later, the legend is still going the distance, even against the world's best players.
Alongside the total number of matches, the Serb impresses with his efficiency in the marathon clashes. Djokovic owns a staggering 38-10 record in five-set matches at Majors.
That percentage highlights his composure and physical resilience in tennis' most punishing and extreme format. For comparison, Federer owns a 31-17 record, suffering seven defeats more than the Belgrade native.
To prevail in a five-setter at Majors, you have to provide fitness, nerve, tactics and belief. Novak did that numerous times against various generations and in different conditions.
As he confirmed against Sinner, when matches stretch into uncharted territory, Djokovic becomes even more dangerous, even at 38. Over two decades after his first Major marathon, the Serb continues to redefine what sustained greatness truly means.
His performance against Sinner was nothing short of spectacular. The veteran denied 16 of 18 break points and erased two deficits to emerge at the top and advance into his 11th Australian Open final, 18 years after the first.
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The Post Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer in Major marathon milestone appeared first on Tennis World USA
2026-02-15T10:02:26Z
