The Australian Open is a happy hunting ground for both Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic. The World No. 1 has won two singles titles at the Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024 and finished as the runner-up in 2025. Meanwhile, the Serb has won the Melbourne Major a staggering 10 times.
Recently, Sabalenka broke one of Djokovic’s Grand Slam records at the Australian Open, which drew a reaction from the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Novak Djokovic Reacts to Aryna Sabalenka Breaking His Record at the 2026 Australian Open
Sabalenka is the top seed at the 2026 Australian Open, and she has defeated wild card Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (6-4, 6-1) in the first round and then overcame qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan (6-3, 6-1) and Anastasia Potapova (7-6(4), 7-6(7)) in the second and third rounds, respectively. She most recently overcame 17th seed Victoria Mboko (6-1, 7-6(1)) in the fourth round.
During her match against Mboko, Sabalenka extended her unbeaten streak to winning 20 consecutive tie-breaks at the Grand Slams, thereby breaking Djokovic’s previous record for the same achievement.
In response to Sabalenka breaking his record, Djokovic expressed that he was “upset” about it.
“I’m upset right now 😡>🐆,” Djokovic posted on X (formerly known on Twitter).
I’m upset right now 😡>🐆
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 25, 2026
Seeded fourth at the 2026 Australian Open, Djokovic has advanced to the fourth round after defeating Pedro Martínez, qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, and Botic van de Zandschulp in the first three rounds. This year, he will be looking to secure his 11th title at the Melbourne Major and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Who Will Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic Next Face at the 2026 Australian Open?
Looking ahead, following her victory over Mboko in the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open, Sabalenka is set to face 29th seed Iva Jović in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Jović began her campaign at the Melbourne Major by defeating compatriot Katie Volynets in the first round. She then eliminated wild card Priscilla Hon and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the second and third rounds, respectively. She secured her spot in the quarterfinals by overcoming Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round.
Sabalenka and Jović have never faced each other on the WTA Tour, making their upcoming quarterfinal match at the Australian Open their first encounter. The winner of the quarterfinal match between the two players will go on to face either third seed Coco Gauff, eighth seed Mirra Andreeva, or twelfth seed Elina Svitolina in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, following his victory over van de Zandschulp in the third round, Djokovic is set to play Jakub Menšík in the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open.
Menšík, seeded 16th at the Melbourne Major, began his run by defeating Pablo Carreño Busta and qualifier Rafael Jódar in the first and second rounds, respectively. He advanced to the fourth round by eliminating Ethan Quinn in the third round.
Djokovic and Menšík have faced each other twice on the ATP Tour, with each player winning one match. Their most recent encounter was in the final of the 2025 Miami Open, where Menšík won 7-6(4), 7-6(4), claiming his first ATP Tour title.
The winner of the fourth-round match between Djokovic and Menšík will advance to face fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournament.
