Novak Djokovic joins Roger Federer to become only male players to compete in 90 matches at all the Grand Slams

Novak Djokovic has become just the second male player to compete in at least 90 singles matches at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The top seed at Wimbledon joined one of his great rivals, Roger Federer, on the list as he took to Centre Court for his first-round match at SW19 this year.

Djokovic's match against Soon Woo Kwon on Monday was the 90th men's singles contest of his career at Wimbledon. The Serb entered the match on the back of a 21-match unbeaten streak at Wimbledon.

Of the four Grand Slams, the 35-year-old has played the most number of matches of his career at the French Open (101). He has competed in 94 matches at the US Open, and his Australian Open tally stands at par with Wimbledon, with 90 matches at each Major.

Interestingly, the Serb has played the most matches at the two Majors where he has won the least number of titles. He has won nine Australian Open titles, six at Wimbledon, two at the French Open, and three at the US Open in New York City. He has never lost a final at the Australian Open and has lost just one final at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer is the only man in tennis history to play at least 100 matches in three of the four Majors. Federer has competed the most at Wimbledon, where he has played 119 matches, and also won the most Grand Slam titles (8) in his career at Wimbledon.

The Swiss great has played 117 matches at the Australian Open, where he is a 6-time champion, and 103 matches at the US Open, where he has won five titles. Federer is just one short of 100 matches at the French Open.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is aiming to break a tie with Federer in the race for the most men's singles titles won at Grand Slams at the ongoing Wimbledon Championships. Rafael Nadal leads the race with 22 titles, while Federer and Djokovic have each won 20 Majors.

I'd love to face Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon final and get revenge for Roland Garros: Novak Djokovic

2022 French Open - Day Ten

After losing to Rafael Nadal at the 2022 French Open, Novak Djokovic is aiming to get payback at Wimbledon. The Serb will not face his Spanish counterpart before the final, but hopes to be there and get revenge for his French Open loss against the Spaniard in the last eight.

“If we get to face each other, that means that we're both in the finals, which I think we both want. I'd love to face him in the finals and get revenge for Paris," the World No. 3 said.

Having said that, he had many words of praise for Nadal, who has had an incredible year so far, particularly at the Grand Slams after winning the Australian Open and the French Open. Djokovic believes that despite not playing at Wimbledon in three years, Nadal is one of the favorites at this year's tournament.

"Of course, you have to put him as one of the favorites even though he hasn't played in Wimbledon for I think last three years. But still, you know, he is Nadal, he has achieved what he has achieved throughout his career," he said further.

Meanwhile, Djokovic can make Wimbledon his second most-contested Grand Slam by reaching the semifinals, which would be his 95th appearance at the Major event played in London. By winning his seventh Wimbledon title, he will tie Samparas' tally at the grasscourt Major and inch closer to Federer's record of eight titles at SW19.