Novak Djokovic will kick off the 2025 season in Brisbane. The 24-time Major winner will compete at the ATP 250 event for the first time since 2009, seeking a good run a week before the Australian Open. Djokovic decided to play in the first week of the new year and picked Brisbane as his first stop.
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The Serb will seek his 100th ATP title against Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini,Alexei Popyrin. Last year's finalists, Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune, are also in the draw. Novak claimed the elusive Olympic Games gold medal in Paris in August.
Thus, he completed the game of tennis, conquering all 15 notable trophies as the first player in history. This success changed Novak's perspective and left him without goals for the rest of 2024. The Serb skipped the ATP Finals in Turin and focused on 2025.
Novak added Andy Murray to his coaching team, eager to chase more tennis glory in 2025. Djokovic will focus on Majors in the season ahead of us, feeling confident about his chances against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak's previous Brisbane campaign
As we already said, Djokovic will play in Brisbane for the first time since 2009. The 21-year-old could have enjoyed a better run on his tournament debut. Hefellto his good friend Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and a half in the first round.The Serb suffered his earliest exit since Miami in March 2008.
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Gulbis collected 12 points more than Djokovic and deserved to win. The Latvian denied two of four break points and took advantage of the rival's poor first serve percentage. Novak landed in only 48% of the first serve and struggled to impose his strokes.
He played against 13 break points and got broken four times to experience an early exit. Djokovic changed his racquet ahead of the new season and needed time to get used to the new one. Gulbis made a reliable start at Pat Rafter Arena.
He broke Novak in the fifth game and moved in front. The lower-ranked player served well in the remaining games and clinched the opener 6-4. The second set saw four consecutive breaks in the early stages. Novak served well in games five and seven.
However, Gulbis responded with fine serving and made a push on the return at 4-4. The Latvian secured a pivotal break in game nine and held in the next one to end the Serb's first Brisbane campaign earlier than expected.
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Djokovic's 2024 season
Novak terminated the GOAT race in 2023, playing in four Major finals and lifting three titles to leave Rafael Nadal behind. The Serb could not repeat that run this season, reaching one Major final but winningthe title he desired the most!
Competing at his fifth Olympic Games, Djokovic threw everything at his chances in Paris. He suffered a knee injury at Roland Garros and underwent surgery. The legend recovered for Wimbledon and defeated five rivals to reach a Major final.
Like a year ago, Novak lostto Carlos Alcaraz, struggling in the opening two sets and sufferinga 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 defeat. He left it behind and turned his focus on the Olympic Games, seeking the only notable title missing fromhis collection.
Olympic Games glory
Less than two months after surgery, Djokovic embraced another run at Roland Garros. He toppled the doubles specialist Matthew Ebden in the first round. The legenddroppedone game and arranged the 60thclash against his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal.
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Novak was the favorite and proved that with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph, moving into the last 16. Djokovic stormed over a gran opponent in the opening 11 games, building a 6-1, 4-0 advantage. Nadal revived some of his Court Philippe-Chatrier magic and pulled two breaks back.
The Spaniard locked the result at 4-4 before losing serve in game nine. Novak sealed the deal with a hold in game ten, earning his 31st and last triumph over Rafa. Djokovic passed Dominik Koepfer in the third round and set the quarter-final duel with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Serb struggled with pain in his troubled knee in the second set. He trailed and looked in all kind of troubles in the second set. However, Novak bounced back and saved set points, prevailing in the tie break and reaching his fourth semi-final at the Olympic Games.
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Eager to pass this obstacle for the first time, Djokovic beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-4 and set the title clash against Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard came to Paris after earning a 'Channel Slam' and wasthe favorite against the veteran.
However, Novak left everything on the court in a 7-6, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 52 minutes, earning a gold medal and starting an emotional celebration. Djokovic saved eight break points in two challenging games of the opening set.
He fired up his forehand in the pivotal moments of both tie breaks to seal the deal in straight sets and secure one of his finest victories in a career.
Slowing the engines down
Novak could not find motivation ahead of the US Open, losing to Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Djokovic entered only one official tournament after leading his country in the Davis Cup. He reached the Shanghai Masters final and fell to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
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Novak withdrew from the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, ending his season early andfocusing on 2025. The Serb will work with Andy Murray in the upcoming season, starting the action in Brisbane and hoping for a good run.
