Novak Djokovic will compete in Brisbane for the primary time since 2009. The 24-time Main will kick off the brand new season on the ATP 250 occasion, shaping up his sport forward of the Australian Open title chase. Djokovic arrived in Brisbane from Thailand.
The legend educated with certainly one of his favourite children, Jakub Mensik. Novak will play his first official match because the Shanghai Masters remaining in opposition to Rinky Hijikata within the first spherical. Djokovic and Mensik might meet within the semi-final, however they need to go difficult opponent within the early rounds.
“G’day Brisbane, great to be back!”Nole on ig pic.twitter.com/hz4A0epejh
— 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚔. A͟O͟¹⁰ (@NoleLondon) December 28, 2024
Novak and Jakub have been in contact since 2022 when the legend known as the younger gun. The legend offered recommendation and contacts, serving to Mensik chase his tennis goals. Their first duel got here in Shanghai, in Novak’s final event of the 2024 season.
Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
Two rivals fought within the quarter-final, and the veteran scored a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory in two hours and 19 minutes. The Serb bounced again after the opener, sealing the deal in three units and accumulating his ninth Shanghai Masters semi-final.
Novak served for the opening set at 5-4. He misplaced serve for the one time, conserving the teen in rivalry. Mensik claimed a tie break and moved nearer to a notable victory. Nevertheless, Djokovic offered 4 breaks in units two and three, turning the tables and sealing the deal.
Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Novak confronted Taylor Fritz within the semi-final and prevailed, arranging the title conflict with Jannik Sinner. The Serb chased his fifth Shanghai Masters crown however suffered a 7-6, 6-3 defeat in opposition to the world’s finest participant. The veteran withdrew from the remaining occasions of the season.
Novak recharged his batteries and gathered vitality forward of 2025, looking for extra notable titles within the season forward. He claimed the Olympic Video games gold medal in 2024, finishing all 15 notable titles and returning his focus to Majors in 2025.