Novak Djokovic secured a pivotal victory at the 2024 Australian Open, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). This win not only propelled Djokovic into the next round but also allowed him to equal Roger Federer‘s record for the most singles match wins at the tournament, reaching an impressive total of 102 victories.
The match took place under sweltering conditions, with temperatures exceeding 36°C. Djokovic initially dominated the first set, but a moment of recklessness in the second nearly cost him dearly. While leading 4-2, Djokovic struck a ball away in frustration, narrowly missing a ball girl by mere centimeters. This incident drew immediate attention, with commentator Colin Fleming remarking, “Oh careful, that was almost default.” Although chair umpire John Blom opted not to issue a code violation, he did give Djokovic a stern look and addressed him during the changeover.
After the match, Djokovic expressed remorse regarding the incident, stating, “That was not necessary and in the heat of the moment. I was lucky there and I’m sorry for causing any distress to the ball kid or anybody.” This moment echoed Djokovic’s controversial default at the 2020 US Open, where he was disqualified after accidentally hitting a line judge in the throat during a match against Pablo Carreno Busta.
Despite the scare, Djokovic maintained his composure and closed out the second set, though he required a medical timeout early in the third. Van de Zandschulp, a former world No. 22 who had previously beaten Djokovic at Indian Wells, seized an early break in the third set, taking a 3-1 lead. However, Djokovic quickly responded, leveling the score at 3-3.
The match intensified in the third set, with van de Zandschulp holding two set points while leading 6-5. Djokovic, displaying his characteristic resilience, forced a tiebreak and ultimately clinched the match on his second match point. Reflecting on the match, Djokovic admitted he felt relieved to win in straight sets, especially as van de Zandschulp’s serve improved significantly after receiving treatment for shoulder discomfort earlier in the match.
“It was a pretty good treatment, I must say; it gave him a lot of firepower,” Djokovic noted. He acknowledged, “At the beginning of the second he did struggle with the arm… then the tables turned. I must say I relaxed a little bit too much and was in trouble to close out the second set.”
Djokovic’s victory not only reinforces his status as a dominant force in tennis but also highlights the fine line athletes walk between competitive intensity and on-court conduct. As he progresses through the tournament, fans will be eager to see if he can secure another title while navigating the challenges ahead.
