Novak Djokovic: The Ultimate Front-Runner in Grand Slam Matches
Novak Djokovic has set some of the most incredible records in tennis history, and one of his most remarkable statistics comes in Grand Slam matches.
Djokovic is in a league of his own in the Grand Slam title count, with the Serbian claiming his 24th major as he lifted the US Open title in New York last month.
He also holds the record for the most weeks as the world No 1 and has won more ATP Masters 1000 events than any other player, yet one of his greatest records often goes unmentioned.
There has never been a front-runner in tennis history to compare to Djokovic, and that is confirmed when his statistics in Grand Slam events are analyzed.
Djokovic has won 309 matches and lost just SIX after winning the first set in his remarkable career playing best-of-five-set matches in major tournaments.
Overall, his win percentage after taking the first set is 95.8. He is at the No 1 spot on the all-time list for these statistics, ahead of Bjorn Borg, whose 95.5% win-loss record of 526-25 came after winning the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz’s win against Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last summer was a rare occasion when the Serbian great dropped the first set in a Grand Slam and lost.
Heading into Wimbledon last summer, the relentless Djokovic had compiled an amazing 101 Grand Slam wins in matches where he had won the opening set.
The previous time he won the first set and lost the match prior to his defeat against Alcaraz in the 2023 Wimbledon Final was in the 2016 US Open final, when he was beaten by an inspired Stan Wawrinka.
READ MORE: Sensational Carlos Alcaraz Defeat Gives Novak Djokovic Incredible Rankings Boost
Novak Djokovic’s front-running record is just one of many reasons why he is set to go down in history as the greatest player of all time. However, he admits there is no definitive answer to the long-running ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of All Time) debate, as he battles it out with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to be recognized as the modern game’s ultimate champion.
“I don’t want to say that I am the greatest because I feel it’s disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in a completely different way than it is played today,” he said after winning the French Open in May.
“When you talk about history, people mostly talk about the Grand Slams won or the amount of time you spent at No.1 in the rankings,” Djokovic said. “I have managed to break the records in both of these statistics, which is amazing.
“I feel like each great champion of his own generation has left a huge mark, a legacy, and paved the way for us to be able to play this sport on such a great stage worldwide.
“So, I leave those kinds of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else.”
The ‘GOAT’ debate was probably settled in 2023, as Djokovic lifted three more Grand Slam titles, taking his total to an incredible 24.
If he needed any more vindication of his greatness, the statistic that confirms he is the ultimate front-runner in the history of the game adds to his aura of invincibility.
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Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.