Australian Open: Karlovic becomes the oldest player to win a Slam match in 42 years
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
MELBOURNE, 21 January 2020 – Veteran Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlovic continues to break records.
Karlovic, who turns 41 next month, became the oldest player to win a match at a Grand Slam in 42 years. The 6 ft 11 in Croatian hit 14 aces on his way to defeating Canada’s Vasek Pospisil 7:6 (4), 6:4, 7:5 in the first round on Tuesday at the Australian Open.
The last time a player over the age of 40 won a match at the Australian Open was Ken Rosewall back in 1978. Karlovic surpassed his own record as he was the last player over the age of 40 to win a match at a Grand Slam when he beat Thomas Fabbiano in the first round at Wimbledon last year.
Karlovic will face France’s Gael Monfils in the second round on Thursday.
Defeating 🇨🇦 Vasek #Pospisil at @AustralianOpen 🇭🇷 Ivo #Karlovic becomes the oldest player to win a Slam match since Ken Rosewall in 1978 Australian Open#AusOpen #AustralianOpen2020 pic.twitter.com/P08juI2oYu
— TennisMyLife (@TennisMyLife68) January 21, 2020
The Croatian has broken a number of records during his lengthy career. He officially held the record for the fastest serve recorded in professional tennis, measured at 251 km/h (156 mph), before being surpassed by Samuel Groth in 2012.
He also holds the all-time record for career aces and is one of only four players in history to surpass 10,000 aces and is the oldest ATP Challenger title winner in history.
