Novak Djokovic has not always been a multiple-time major champion and had a much different experience in his first ever Grand Slam match.
Djokovic is currently at the Miami Open, as he bids for a historic 100th ATP career title.
The 37-year-old is currently suffering somewhat of a title drought, with Djokovic’s last title coming at the Paris Olympics.
His last Grand Slam triumph goes even further back, with Djokovic winning the US Open in 2023 to make tennis history.
Although Djokovic is consistently one of the favorites for major titles, he struggled in his first ever Grand Slam main draw match.
What Marat Safin told Novak Djokovic after his first Grand Slam match
At just 17-years-old, world number 188 Djokovic beat Stan Wawrinka en route to qualifying for his first ever Grand Slam main draw at the 2005 Australian Open.
In the first round of the Melbourne major, Djokovic would be drawn against fourth seed and two-time finalist Marat Safin.
His first main draw appearance at a major tournament would not go to plan, as he was beaten by Safin in an hour and 15 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Safin beat Djokovic, 6-0 6-2 6-1, with the pair having a lengthy embrace at the net after the match.
When speaking in his post-match press conference, Safin revealed that Djokovic actually apologized to him at the net and predicted the Serbian to have a successful long career.
“I mean, he came and said, ‘Sorry’,” said Safin. “I don’t know why he said sorry, because he apparently — because it was so easy.
“But the guy tried everything. He tried his best tennis, but I played pretty good and just told him that he gonna be great player – and he will be.
“I mean, he is young. He is 17 years old, turning 18 this year. He has great potential, and I wish him all the best because he is gonna have a very long career, I hope for him, if he continues this way and he continues to working hard. Just I wish him all the best. That’s what I said to him.”
Despite his disappointment, Djokovic would go onto win his first Grand Slam main draw match at the next opportunity, beating American Robert Ginepri at Roland Garros in similar dominant fashion to the defeat he suffered to Safin.
While Safin would go onto beat Roger Federer at the 2005 Australian Open to reach his third final at the tournament.
It was third time lucky for the Russian, as he beat home favorite Lleyton Hewitt to win his first Australian Open and second major title.
Earlier this morning, Marat Safin helped open the 2020 #AusOpen
What happened when Marat Safin played Novak Djokovic again?
Djokovic and Safin would go on different career trajectories from this point, with their next meeting coming three years later at Wimbledon.
At this point, Djokovic was a Grand Slam champion and was fighting to become world number one at the grass court major.
On the other hand, Safin had dropped down to world number 75 in the ATP rankings and had not been past the fourth round of a major tournament since winning the 2005 Australian Open.
Although the tables had turned in terms of ranking, Safin beat Djokovic in straight sets once again, winning 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2.
“I mean, I don’t compare it at all,” responded Djokovic. “I mean, this first match we played was three, four years ago. I was still very young and it was my first Grand Slam. It was understandable at the time. He won this tournament. He was playing extremely well.
“I cannot compare it. Now, I’m much more matured, better experienced player in general. But, you know, I don’t — I try to look at it as positive as much as I can. It’s a loss, but it’s a part of the sport. You know, life goes on. What can we do? There is still a long way through.”
Safin would go all the way to achieving his best result at the grass court major that year by reaching the semi-finals, before the iconic Wimbledon final between Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Despite this resurgent run, Safin would retire just a year later at 29-years-old, while Djokovic would put this defeat firmly behind him.
Djokovic has lived up to Safin’s prediction about him, winning a record 24 Grand Slam titles and is still competing 20 years on from their first match.
