Djokovic’s 2008 Breakthrough: 18 Years On, Chasing 25th Major

MELBOURNE (Azat TV) – Eighteen years ago today, on January 27, 2008, a then 20-year-old Novak Djokovic etched his name into tennis history at Melbourne Park, becoming Serbia’s first Grand Slam champion and decisively breaking the dominant duopoly of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. This pivotal victory, which marked the beginning of a record-breaking career, finds Djokovic, now 38, still fiercely competing at the ongoing 2026 Australian Open, where he is currently pursuing an unprecedented 25th major title, aiming to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slams.

Djokovic’s 2008 Breakthrough

The 2008 Australian Open was a turning point for men’s tennis. Before that tournament, Federer and Nadal had collectively claimed 11 consecutive major titles, establishing a seemingly unbreakable hold on the sport’s biggest prizes. Djokovic, seeded third, entered Melbourne with strong momentum from a successful 2007 season, which saw him reach the US Open final against Federer.

His path to the final in 2008 was impressive. Djokovic navigated the early rounds without dropping a set, defeating Benjamin Becker, Simone Bolelli, and Sam Querrey. He then faced local favorite Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round, followed by a straight-sets victory over fifth seed David Ferrer in the quarter-finals (6-0, 6-3, 7-5). This set up a highly anticipated semi-final clash against top seed Roger Federer, a rematch of their 2007 US Open final.

In a stunning display, Djokovic defeated Federer in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5), to secure his spot in the final. The other semi-final also delivered a surprise, as second seed Rafael Nadal was upset by unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets (6-2, 6-3, 6-2), ensuring a new Australian Open champion would be crowned.

The final against Tsonga presented Djokovic with his first real test of the tournament, as the Frenchman won the opening set 6-4. However, Djokovic quickly regained control, winning the next three sets to clinch his maiden Grand Slam title with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory. This triumph was not just a personal milestone; it signaled a paradigm shift in men’s tennis, ushering in the era of the “Big Three.”

Ending a Dominant Era

The significance of Djokovic’s 2008 win cannot be overstated. It effectively ended the two-year period where Federer and Nadal had monopolized Grand Slam victories. While their rivalry continued to define the sport for many years, Djokovic’s emergence meant that they now had a formidable third competitor who would consistently challenge them for major honors. This victory was the first of his record ten Australian Open titles and laid the foundation for his eventual total of 24 major championships.

Over the subsequent 16 years, Djokovic has systematically rewritten the record books, accumulating seven Wimbledon titles, four US Open titles, and three French Open titles, in addition to his dominance in Melbourne. His professional journey, which began in 2003, has been marked by an unparalleled drive and consistency, allowing him to surpass both Federer (20 major titles) and Nadal (22 major titles) in the Grand Slam race, even as his long-time rivals have since retired from the sport.

Still Chasing History in 2026

Now at 38, Novak Djokovic continues to defy expectations. He is currently competing in the 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, where he has reached the quarter-finals. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. Despite a slight slowdown in his recent major victories, with his last Grand Slam win being the 2023 US Open, Djokovic remains a top contender. In 2025, he reached the semi-finals of all four majors, demonstrating his enduring elite status on the circuit.

His pursuit of a 25th major title is a testament to his sustained ambition and physical prowess. Achieving this milestone would make him the standalone all-time Grand Slam winner across both men’s and women’s tennis, surpassing the current joint record of 24 held with legendary Australian Margaret Court. His longevity and commitment to the sport continue to captivate fans and experts alike, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.

Djokovic’s 2008 Australian Open victory remains a seminal moment, not merely for its historical significance as his first major title, but because it fundamentally reshaped the landscape of men’s tennis, transforming a duopoly into an era dominated by three titans, a legacy he continues to build upon even in his late thirties.