Djokovic hits 400 Grand Slam wins as heatwave defines dramatic Australian Open

Novak Djokovic etched his name deeper into tennis history on a dramatic day at the Australian Open, becoming the first player to record 400 Grand Slam singles victories , even as extreme heat disrupted play across Melbourne Park.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion achieved the landmark with a composed 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round on Saturday night. The victory also took Djokovic’s Australian Open record to 102 wins , equalling Roger Federer’s all-time mark at the season-opening major. The Serb, who has lifted the Melbourne trophy 10 times , is now chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at the age of 38.

Djokovic controlled the contest despite a brief scare in the third set, when he slipped and later faced two set points. Backed by a vocal crowd and his trademark resilience, he forced a tie-break and closed out the match to underline his enduring dominance at Melbourne Park.

While Djokovic thrived under the lights, the day session told a different story as extreme heat forced officials to suspend play on outside courts for several hours . With temperatures touching 35 degrees Celsius and forecasts nearing 40 degrees , the tournament’s Extreme Heat Protocol was activated, leading to roof closures and cooling breaks on show courts.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner was among those tested by the conditions. Struggling with cramps and heavy fatigue, the Italian benefited from a heat-related suspension and a cooling break before recovering to beat American debutant Eliot Spizzirri in four sets and advance to the fourth round.

In a significant setback, two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament before her third-round match due to a left abdominal injury, ending a campaign that had drawn attention both for her play and her bold fashion statements.

Indian interest received a boost in the men’s doubles, with Yuki Bhambri and Sweden’s Andre Goransson reaching the last 16 after a hard-fought win that was also interrupted by heat-related delays. However, N. Sriram Balaji exited the competition earlier in the day.

Several top seeds, including Iga Swiatek , Ben Shelton , Madison Keys , and Jessica Pegula , progressed as organisers worked around the weather to complete the schedule, with night sessions continuing under closed roofs.

As the Australian Open moves into its decisive stages, Djokovic’s historic milestone and the punishing Melbourne heat have emerged as defining themes, highlighting both the longevity of one of tennis’s greatest champions and the growing challenge of extreme conditions at major sporting events.