There is a very different Djokovic at the Australian Open.

Djokovic holds 24 Grand Slam titles, matching the Australian legend Margaret Court. The Serbian athlete enters the 2026 Australian Open campaign with the goal of claiming the world record alone.

Although there were doubts about his fitness after skipping early January tournaments, Djokovic’s commanding 3-0 (6-3, 6-2, 6-2) victory over Pedro Martinez in his opening match at Melbourne Park proved that it was a calculated move. In this match, Djokovic faced no break points and converted 5 of 12 break opportunities. Nole’s dominance was also evident with 49 winners, nearly four times more than his Spanish opponent.

By deliberately "laying low," the Serbian player minimized injury risks and avoided unnecessary energy expenditure. Djokovic prepared meticulously for this tournament. The world-class serves showcased in his Melbourne Park debut are proof of his thorough preparation.

Djokovic approached the match aiming to finish his opponent as quickly as possible to conserve energy for the later stages. By raising the pace, combining precise serves and sharp finishing, Nole is demonstrating that experience and cunning can overcome the challenges posed by younger opponents despite aging.

In Djokovic’s plan, early-round matches are like light practice sessions. This strategy helps him maintain top form and feel for the ball while avoiding energy drain before crucial encounters.

With the current path, a historic opportunity is opening up for Nole as the Serbian player is just three wins short of Roger Federer’s record 102 victories at Melbourne Park. Given a relatively favorable draw, breaking this record is well within Djokovic’s reach.

Djokovic’s ambition certainly goes beyond mere statistics; his ultimate goal is to claim his 25th Grand Slam title.

If successful, he will set an unprecedented record of 11 titles at the Australian Open — a milestone likely unmatched for many decades. Djokovic enters the 2026 Australian Open as the 4th seed and a top contender for the championship.

Regarding recent form, the Serbian player has shown positive signs with a 21-6 win-loss record on hard courts over the past year. His latest title at the Belgrade Open, clinched after a thrilling victory against Lorenzo Musetti, proves that Djokovic’s resilience and pressure-handling remain world-class.

At this year’s Australian Open, fans probably won’t witness a Djokovic who tires himself out in long, exhausting rallies. Instead, they will see a Djokovic delivering ruthless, pragmatic shots, cleverly finishing off opponents.