Novak Djokovic is nearly prepared to begin the brand new season, wherein he’s very decided to win a minimum of another Grand Slam title. The previous world number one has practiced primarily in Qatar and Thailand within the final week and can fly to Australia very quickly, having to play the Brisbane Worldwide firstly of January.
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
The Serbian legend performed little in 2024 and didn’t obtain memorable outcomes, aside from the extraordinary triumph on the Paris Olympics through the summer time. After coming near finishing the ‘Calendar Grand Slam’ in 2023, the 37-year-old from Belgrade has struggled to play his greatest tennis this 12 months and has not performed his greatest tennis besides on uncommon events.
As well as, the rise of two younger champions comparable to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has additional diminished his possibilities of successful a Main title once more. For all these causes, the present world quantity 7 has employed Andy Murray as his new coach and has labored very exhausting in latest weeks to be prepared from the primary event of 2025.
Nole’s potential path
The previous world No.1 would be the high favourite in Brisbane subsequent week, a event he has performed simply as soon as throughout his lengthy profession in 2009. A couple of hours in the past the draw for this prestigious event was drawn and Nole already is aware of his potential path.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will make his debut in opposition to native idol Rinky Hijikata, whereas within the subsequent spherical he’s anticipated to face French veteran Gael Monfils. Within the quarterfinals, the Serbian ace is anticipated to seek out Matteo Arnaldi or Alexei Popyrin, who created a number of issues for him in 2024 and defeated him on the US Open.
Within the semifinals, Novak might face Nick Kyrgios, Jakub Mensik or Sebastian Korda, whereas his opponent within the remaining could possibly be Grigor Dimitrov or Holger Rune. The 37-year-old from Belgrade will even play doubles alongside Kyrgios, with whom he has established a superb relationship on and off the courtroom over the previous two years. Djokovic and Kyrgios’ first opponents within the doubles event might be Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies.
Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
In an interview earlier than the beginning of the event, Kyrgios opened up on his partnership with Nole: “Yeah, look, I think we wanted to play together one time at least before either his career ends or mine finished.
To finally do it on my home soil where, you know I think for the fans whenever you get a team-up like this it’s important that the fans get that because that’s what tennis is about.
Having two great personalities and trying to have some fun out there.”
Djokovic desires to win AO
The Serbian legend desires to begin his season effectively and current himself on the AO with nice confidence. The present world quantity 7 has not performed nice tennis at Melbourne Park this 12 months, struggling in all rounds and dropping decisively within the semifinals to Sinner.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade remains to be motivated to compete on the highest degree and it is going to be fascinating to see what influence Murray has on his sport. Nobody anticipated that the previous Scottish champion would return to the tour in a brand new position, so quickly after his retirement from tennis (which passed off in the summertime through the Paris Olympics). Andy is a legend of the game and can be capable of give very helpful recommendation to his former rival, particularly within the decisive rounds of Grand Slam tournaments.
Novak Djokovic© Australian Open/Instagram – Honest Use
Throughout a latest interview, the Serbian legend defined why he selected to rent Murray as his new coach: “I was going through a process of thinking about next season and trying to figure out what I need at this stage of my career. Because I stopped with my coach Goran Ivanisevic, that I was very successful with for many years, in March.
So I took about six months to really think about if I really need a coach, and if yes, who that’s going to be and the profile of the coach.
We were going through different names and I realized the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone that has been through the experiences that I’m going through, possible multiple Grand Slam winner, former No.1.
I was thinking about different people and then an Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table with me and my team.
It was still a shock decision. It caught him a little bit off guard as well because he wasn’t expecting it, so we connected really fast and he accepted after a few days. I couldn’t be more excited about it. This collaboration is a surprise to me as well, to everyone. But it’s exciting for tennis.”
