Novak Djokovic’s 2025 is about to start. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is not going to begin his Australian Open season straight like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, however can even play the Brisbane Worldwide in early January.
The Serbian legend is conscious that he has to vary one thing from current years as a way to be aggressive at Melbourne Park, the place he’ll attempt to win for the eleventh time in his legendary profession. The previous world No. 1 has not performed an official match since final October, when he was defeated by Sinner within the ultimate of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2023© Stream screenshot
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has determined to skip the final official occasions of 2024, particularly the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, prompting a number of criticisms amongst followers and insiders as a result of he would have needed to defend the title in these two tournaments.
Nole performed an exhibition match with Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires in early December, earlier than beginning preparation for subsequent season. As everybody is aware of, the present world quantity 7 will be capable to profit from Andy Murray’s recommendation on the Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion has accepted Novak’s proposal to grow to be his new coach and everybody is keen to see what outcomes this fascinating collaboration will carry.
Nole is in Thailand
Within the meantime – earlier than arriving in Brisbane for the primary match of his season – Djokovic stopped in Thailand for just a few days to hold out some observe periods. Thailand is a daily vacation spot for all those that wish to break the lengthy journey to Australia. The previous world #1 performed with Kasidit Samrej – present quantity 415 within the ATP rating – who obtained a wild card for the Australian Open and is making ready to play the primary Main match of his profession.
Wonderful means for Asia-Pacific Wildcard winner 🇹🇭 Kasidit Samrej to arrange for his first Australian Open! pic.twitter.com/2r0IRlBeKj
— Tennis Asia (@TennisAsia) December 27, 2024
Novak’s alternative to rent former World No.1 Murray as a coach has sparked an amazing debate on social media and amongst insiders. Whereas some argue that it’s only a industrial operation, others are satisfied that the previous Scottish champion will actually be capable to assist his former rival in essentially the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner acknowledged final month.
“Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.
We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers.
I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray” – he added.
By no means underestimate a legend
Their collaboration could have undergone a vital check on the AO, one of many favourite tournaments of the Serbian champion. If there’s a Grand Slam match by which Nole has the very best likelihood of successful, it’s definitely the one that may happen at Melbourne Park from 12 to 26 January. The present world quantity 7 has usually performed his greatest tennis ‘Down Underneath’, however he should compete towards harmful opponents who’re a lot youthful than him.
For the primary time in his superb profession, Djokovic is not going to be the person to beat in Australia and this element may take some stress off him.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
On the newest version of her well-known podcast, tennis legend Rennae Stubbs talked about Novak’s possibilities on the 2025 AO: “We know that’s the tournament that he plays his best tennis at. He has won it 10 times, which is outrageous. The only person you can talk about in the same category as Rafa Nadal – winning 14 French Open.
But the fact he has won 10 Australian Open, I would say it might even be as impressive, because everyone plays pretty well on hard courts.
Whereas if you grow up on clay, no American can play on clay, they can’t even slide. Whereas everyone can play on hard court.”
Former WTA star Andrea Petkovic additionally expressed her perspective on this matter: “My prediction for Novak next year is that he will not give a flying f about any of the tournaments apart from the Australian Open and Wimbledon and he will make a huge push with everything he has left, he will give everything he has to win number 25 and then get out.”
