Sports · 1 February 2026

Novak Djokovic beats Pedro Martinez to set new all-time record at Australian Open

Exam-focused facts from the 1 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Novak Djokovic defeated Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at Rod Laver Arena.
  • The match marked Djokovic's 81st men's Grand Slam main draw appearance, equalling the all-time record held by Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.
  • Djokovic became the first male player to win 100 or more matches at three separate Grand Slam events: French Open (101), Wimbledon (102), and Australian Open (100).
  • He now has the chance to surpass Federer's record of 102 Australian Open wins and become the first man to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins overall.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

Nicola Pietrangeli passed away at age 92

Nicola Pietrangeli was the first Italian player to win a Grand Slam trophy, triumphing at the French Open in 1959. He is the only Italian player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.