Novak Djokovic is playing excellent tennis in the first tournament of the new season and is intent on winning the Brisbane International, as he himself revealed during the last press conference. The Serbian legend wants to lift the 100th trophy of his glorious career and arrive at the Australian Open in the best conditions, in order to try to write yet another page of tennis history.
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The former world No.1 defeated Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils in the first two rounds in Brisbane, showing good physical condition and sending a clear message to all his opponents. Nole has worked very well during the off-season and is ready for a high-level season, after achieving quite disappointing results in 2024 (except for the triumph at the Paris Olympics).
Nole's level is convincing
The 24-time Grand Slam champion claimed his 20th victory in as many official matches against Monfils, who never had the right weapons to defeat Novak. Gael gave his best again today, but it was not enough to put the 37-year-old from Belgrade in difficulty.
"We have been playing for many years. I have known Gael since I was 15. We played quite a bit at juniors and on Tour and have had a good score against him but we have had some incredible battles," Djokovic said during the interview after the match. "He is one of the best, if not the best, athlete in our sport over the years. Incredible flexibility, agility and speed.
He is such a great player to watch and a great character and attracts fans around the world to stadiums so tonnes of respect to him and hopefully we can play some more before we both retire he added.
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The current world number 7 is very happy because his whole family is with him in Australia: "My children told me to have two different kinds of celebrations. My daughter told me to keep going with the violin if I win. My son told me to play the saxophone, so I try and incorporate both. It is the first time for me to have my family down under. It is a long trip but they have come to support me and we are spending a lot of quality time together off court. My heart is full and it allows me to play my best tennis."
