Top-seeded Novak Djokovic lost to Reilly Opelka in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
Djokovic, who is vying for his 100th ATP title, lost to Opelka 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in 1 hour and 40 minutes. Opelka will now battle against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, who advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Jakub Mensik with scores of 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Ranked 293rd in the world, Opelka said: “[Djokovic] is the greatest tennis player ever. But it’s difficult being in his position… The reality is we have nothing to lose against him, so you end up playing more freely and taking a lot more risks because it’s your only chance. If you play your normal level, he wins every time.”
He added: “It was tough. There were a lot of uncertainties and doubt… I watched a lot of my friends on TV which was fun, motivating and kept me interested in the sport. I also watched Novak become the greatest during that period.”
Given the turn of events, Djokovic will now concentrate on getting his 11th Australian Open championship with his new coach, Andy Murray.
The Australian Open will happen on January 12-26, 2025.
An ‘ongoing injury’ has caused defending champion Novak Djokovic to withdraw from the ATP Finals. This season, the athlete has already qualified as the sixth most successful player on the ATP Tour, having won a record of seven titles at the event.
Djokovic said: “I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” Djokovic wrote on social media.”
He added: “Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon.”
The athlete did not specify the nature of his injury, and he will not play again this season. Currently, he has won a record of 24 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
Djokovic’s athletic performance
In 2024, Djokovic won 37 of his 46 games and won his only championship in the Paris Olympics, where he finally received the goal medal he had been working hard for. Moreover, he has not won an ATP event since 2005, and this is only the fourth season since 2008 that he has not taken home one of the four Grand Slam championships.
Djokovic admitted: “I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings.” Furthermore, the former world number one confirmed his desire to focus on the Grand Slams in an attempt to extend his career.
Djokovic’s next match will probably be at the Australian Open, which will begin on January 12, 2025.
Novak Djokovic continues his “dream” return to the Australian Open on Thursday with great rival and defending champion Rafael Nadal now removed from his path to a 10th Melbourne Park title.
The Serbian great started his bid to equal Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam triumphs with a ruthless victory over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.
He faces a second-round clash against 191st-ranked French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in the night session on Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic missing last year’s Grand Slam
The 35-year-old Djokovic, who missed last year’s Grand Slam because of his stance on Covid vaccines, received a rousing reception on Tuesday.
“I could not ask for a better start of the tournament in terms of support, in terms of how I felt on the court and also playing,” he said.
Nadal had been a potential final opponent for Djokovic.
But the top seed suffered a hip injury in being shocked in straight sets by 65th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday and limped away from Melbourne Park.
Second seed Casper Ruud of Norway is drawn to meet Djokovic in the semi-final and will face a test against American world number 39 Jenson Brooksby earlier in the day.
Following Djokovic on to centre court to bring the curtain down on day four will be Tunisia’s women’s world number two Ons Jabeur against Marketa Vondrousova.
Jabeur, who reached two Grand Slam finals last year, struggled to exert her authority during a three-set battle with Tamara Zidansek in the first round and will be looking for an easier ride against the 86th-ranked Czech.
At the same time, on the neighbouring Margaret Court Arena, Andy Murray and his metal hip — fresh from his five-set, almost five-hour thriller against Matteo Berrettini — faces Australian hope Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“I’ve played him a while ago in Davis Cup. Yeah, he definitely handed it to me that day, but I’m ready now,” said Kokkinakis of the prospect of facing the Briton.
Organisers will hope the erratic Melbourne weather clams down after two days of extreme heat, rain and cold wreaked havoc with the schedule.
Six hours of play was lost on the outside courts Wednesday as rain fell and the mercury plunged to 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit).
A day earlier there was a heat suspension when temperatures reached 37C.
In other second-round action Thursday, there will be a battle of big-hitters to open proceedings in centre court when women’s fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus faces American world number 51 Shelby Rogers.
French number four seed Caroline Garcia faces former US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada in an intriguing encounter.
In-form Olympic champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland plays America’s Claire Liu.
MELBOURNE: An ailing Novak Djokovic said Saturday every moment counted now that he was in the “last stage” of his career, after battling past Grigor Dimitrov and into the Australian Open last 16.
The Serb came through a titanic 77-minute first set before taming the Bulgarian 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, needing treatment twice on his troublesome hamstring.
He will face home hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals after the 22nd seed defeated Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in three sets.
Djokovic’s gutsy win inched him nearer to a 10th Australian Open title and record-tying 22 Grand Slam crowns.
Winning once again in Melbourne would also return him to world number one for the first time since June.
Now 35, Djokovic said he was savouring each tournament more.
“Every season counts I guess now, when you come to the last stage, the last quarter, of your career,” he said.
“Obviously you start appreciating and valuing each tournament more because you might not have a lot left in the tank.
“I’ve been truly fortunate to do what I love, I love the sport, I love competing. It’s been almost 20 years now of professional sport. I can’t be more grateful than I am.”
Victory put Djokovic into the last 16 for a 15th time but he was made to work for it, especially with his left hamstring troubling him.
“It kind of always starts well in last few matches, including this one, and then some movement happens and then it gets worse,” he said.
“Pills kick in, some hot cream and stuff. That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. It’s really a rollercoaster, honestly.
“I’ll take it match by match. I don’t know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best.”
Djokovic aggravated his hamstring during his run to a 92nd title at the Adelaide International this month and has been struggling with it since.
– Djokovic agitated –
Djokovic came into the match without his usual off-day practice session to give his leg as much time as possible to recover.
With his left thigh heavily strapped, the Serb broke immediately and consolidated to take an early grip on the first set.
He was cruising but appeared to feel the injury when moving for a shot at 5-3. He managed to earn three set points, which were saved, but was then broken when serving for the set at 5-4.
Agitated, he complained to the umpire about being given a time violation and was then forced to save two set points, before an epic tiebreak.
He eventually got over the line on his fifth set point after some intense tennis.
Djokovic took a medical timeout at the changeover and returned to dial up the pressure and take a break before comfortably seeing out the second set.
With Dimitrov flagging, he turned the screws further by breaking twice early in set three.
Despite a mid-set wobble when the Bulgarian clawed back and then more treatment on his leg, Djokovic battled to the finish line.
De Minaur, who is aiming for a first quarter-final at Melbourne Park, now awaits Djokovic after a 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-1 victory.
“These are the matches you want to be playing,” said the Australian.
Even at 36 years old, Novak Djokovic astonishes the tennis community with his magnetic abilities, demonstrating beyond question that “age is just a number.” The fact that he has won an astounding 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles is proof of his unwavering supremacy on the court and his unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Only Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won 400 matches at this level of play, making Djokovic a legendary player. Djokovic continues to be a powerful force, rewriting the history of tennis and cementing his place among the greatest of all time as he breaks records with panache and resolve.
Djokovic back after 5 years
Tennis virtuoso Novak Djokovic is back on the California courts after a five-year absence, and he is aiming for an unprecedented sixth title in the prestigious BNP Paribas Open, also referred to as Tennis Paradise. This audacious endeavor may enable him to surpass the five-time champion Roger Federer.
Amidst the growing excitement, Djokovic is also in danger of joining the select group of athletes who have won 1,100 matches; this feat is his to attain should he win the event without suffering any unanticipated walkovers.
When he looks back on his supremacy, his most recent victory in 2016 at this renowned event represented an incredible third straight victory. Everything is in place for Djokovic to take back his crown in the sun-kissed paradise of Tennis Paradise, leaving his mark on the annals of the game with each forceful serve and cunning move.
Thriller
Djokovic experienced hardship in the thrilling opening match of the BNP Paribas Open as he lost the first set and fell behind Aleksandar Vukic 0-3 in the opening set.
But Djokovic made a comeback, winning the third set and breaking back to ensure his victorious return to Indian Wells since 2018. On the court, Djokovic demonstrated his tenacity and dedication to perfection with an astounding 83% first-serve victory percentage and a noticeable improvement in his forehand.
Novak Djokovic says he wants to go “full throttle” in the upcoming 2025 season and participate in an event prior to the Australian Open next year.
Since Serbia won gold at the Olympics in the summer, Djokovic has not played much this season. He withdrew from the Nitto ATP Finals and missed the Paris Masters due to an injury.
He concluded the season without winning multiple titles for the first time since 2005 and without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
He does not, however, appear to have any immediate plans to retire and follow in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic admitted: “Tennis is still my focus… I am going at full throttle in the off-season, we go for another ride. I just needed to recharge and refresh a bit after an exhausting year.”
He added: “I am going to play in the first week of the season, I am just not sure yet where. Then, of course, Australian Open.”
Although Djokovic did not compete prior to the Australian Open this year, he won Adelaide to begin the 2023 season and went on to win the title in Melbourne. His primary goal for the next season is to achieve more Grand Slam success.
“I would like to play the Davis Cup too, let’s see what happens,” he declared.
