Novak Djokovic Ties Roger Federer's Record With 369th Grand Slam Singles Match Win

May 30, 2024; Paris, France; Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot during his match against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain on day five of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros.
May 30, 2024; Paris, France; Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot during his match against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain on day five of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros. / Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

When fans watched Novak Djokovic crush Robby Ginepri 6–0, 6–0, 6–3 in the first round of the 2005 French Open, could they have known what was coming next?

That turned out to be the first Grand Slam match win for Djokovic, who won his 369th such match Friday against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 7–5, 6–7 (8), 2–6, 6–3, 6–0. With the win, he tied Swiss legend Roger Federer's record. Rafael Nadal is third with 314.

Musetti did not make it easy on Djokovic, but the 37-year-old defending champion recovered to take the final two sets. He will play Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo Monday morning in the fourth round.

Djokovic's first match victory in a major came mere days after he turned 18, and took place so long ago that he won it while representing Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro gained its independence from Serbia a year later.

Djokovic remains in search of his record 25th major championship.


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Patrick Andres

PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .