Djokovic reaches Aussie quarters, matching Federer’s Slam record

MELBOURNE, Australia – Achieving yet another record at the Australian Open put Novak Djokovic in a reflective mood, revealing how he thought things might change after he’d clinched that historic 24th major title.

Djokovic played his best two sets “in a while” in a 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 demolition of Adrian Mannarino on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals at a major for the 58th time, equaling Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record.

It’s his 14th run to the last eight at Melbourne Park, where his conversion rate is incredible. Of the previous 13, he’s gone on to win 10 Australian titles.

“I thought maybe I would this year feel slightly more relaxed, for lack of better term, or maybe less tension, less stress on practice sessions, matches,” he said. “But it’s not. It is as it always was: very high intensity.”

The 36-year-old Djokovic is meticulous in his planning and preparation and has had unprecedented success at the Grand Slam events in the Open era.

Even with two more major titles than any man in history, he said he can’t relax and just enjoy it.