Djokovic launches latest bid for record 25th Grand Slam title

A defiant Novak Djokovic begins his latest bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Monday, with fellow title contenders Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek also taking to the courts at Melbourne Park.

The second day of action features a packed schedule, including three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev, Australian hopeful Alex de Minaur and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova.

The 38-year-old Serbian great, a former world number one now ranked fourth, faces Spain’s 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic is the most successful player in Australian Open history, having won the title a record 10 times.

Djokovic has captured 24 Grand Slam crowns — tied with Australia’s Margaret Court for the most all-time — but a 25th has so far eluded him. With younger rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner now dominant forces, his last major triumph came at the 2023 US Open.

“I know that when I’m healthy and when I can put all the pieces together, I feel like I can beat anybody,” Djokovic said ahead of the tournament. “I always like my chances here.”

Russia’s Medvedev, seeded 11th and runner-up at Melbourne in 2021, 2022 and 2024, enters the tournament in strong form after winning the Brisbane title. He faces Dutchman Jesper de Jong.

Australia’s sixth seed De Minaur will have strong home support when he takes on American Mackenzie McDonald, ranked 113th. De Minaur has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.

Title contenders state their case

American third seed Gauff opens play on Rod Laver Arena against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova. The 21-year-old won the US Open in 2023 and the French Open last year, though her best result in Melbourne remains a semifinal appearance.

Poland’s Swiatek, the second seed, also begins her campaign on Monday. Like Gauff, she has never advanced beyond the last four at the Australian Open. Swiatek, who plays Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue, is chasing a career Grand Slam, having already won titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the French Open.

Fourth seed Anisimova, runner-up last year at both Wimbledon and the US Open, faces Switzerland’s Simona Waltert. Rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva, 18, fresh from claiming her fourth career title, meets Croatia’s Donna Vekic.

Other notable players in action include 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, who is competing at his final Australian Open at the age of 40 after receiving a wildcard. Top-10 seeds Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and Jessica Pegula of the United States are also scheduled to play on day two.