When Novak Djokovic wins the first set, it all spells big trouble for his opponent | ATP Tour
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When Djokovic won the first set, it all spelled big trouble for his opponent
The Serbian goes on an 87-game unbeaten streak after winning the first set
January 24, 2026
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic is a 101-time tour-level champion.
Written by ATP Staff
During the Australian Open, ATPTour.com will give fans an inside look at the leaders in key statistical categories, showing how performances throughout 2025 contribute to a successful season and the promise of more great years in 2026.
Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season offers a masterclass of ruthless efficiency: when he wins the first set, he’s done the job.
Throughout the year, he had a perfect 30-0 record in first sets, according to the Infosys ATP Win-Loss Index. This consistency is a testament to focus, composure and game intelligence under pressure, qualities that have played a major role in Djokovic’s storied career.
The Serbian’s performance in the first set of 2025 was all the more impressive because it was just the latest chapter in a long-term trend. In 2024, Djokovic won the first set with an astonishing 35-0 record, and including his first three wins at the 2026 Australian Open, he has won the past 87 games in the opening match.
The last time he lost a match after winning the first set was the five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 Wimbledon final.
Novak Djokovic’s first set winning record from 2023-2025
| season | wL |
| 2025 | 30-0 |
| 2024 | 35-0 |
| 2023 | 48-2 |
Beyond the numbers, this streak reveals the core of Djokovic’s ability: Once he takes the lead, his mental and physical rhythms remain locked in. He rarely faltered in the pinch when his opponents tried to fight back, and his rock-solid baseline game was a big reason why he stayed at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for a record 428 weeks. That longevity is built on consistency game after game, season after season.
Djokovic’s record of winning first sets illustrates a champion’s ability to seize the moment when he has an advantage. One has to not only win a few sets, but also lock in the target, perform the mission, and finish the game until the mission is complete.
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