Novak Djokovic has learned his possible path to winning the Brisbane International as the Serb is set to start his return to the tournament by taking on Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata.
After the top seed presumably routinely handles the world No. 73, his next opponent will likely be Gael Monfils.
In the quarterfinal, the Serb is projected to meet No. 7 seed Alexei Popyrin.
If Nick Kyrgios reaches the semifinal, we could possibly see a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon final between Djokovic and the Australian.
But if we are going to go by the projected matchup, the former world No. 1 will battle Frances Tiafoe in the last-four stage.
The projected final sees the current world No. 7 clashing against defending champion and No. 2 seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov© Brisbane International/Instagram – Fair Use
Djokovic is returning to Brisbane for the first time since 2009
A decade and a half ago, the Serbian tennis star decided to start his 2009 season at the Brisbane International.
Although he was already a Grand Slam champion and one of the best, he didn’t enjoy any success, suffering a shock first-round defeat to Ernests Gulbis.
After that loss, the-now record 24-time Grand Slam champion elected to start his seasons somewhere else – mostly Doha – which at the time was taking place in the calendar’s first week.
But for the start of 2025, Djokovic agreed to return to the Australian ATP 250 event.
“I’m excited to be kicking off my Australian swing at the Brisbane International and to compete again at Pat Rafter Arena. I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible support from the Australian fans and making this tournament one to remember,” he said in a statement earlier this month.
It remains to be seen if Djokovic can have much more success this time and win a title before going to Melbourne for the Australian Open.
Tennis World USA