Objective Melbourne: the big challenge!

Novak Djokovic started his new season with a victory during theATP 250 de Brisbanewhere he beat the local Rinky Hijikata with a score of 6-3, 6-3thus securing his place in the round of 16, where he will face Frenchman Gaël Monfils.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion also triumphed in doubles alongside Nick Kyrgios and compared the dynamics and differences between the two types of encounters during his press conference.

“It’s obviously a different match, both in the way you feel on the court, in the way you play, and in your approach to the warm-up. I don’t play a lot of doubles, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play with Nick when he came back. I think a lot of people were looking forward to seeing us on the field together. I really enjoyed playing. Honestly, it was a great doubles match. I’m also looking forward to tomorrow’s,” said the ten-time Australian Open champion about his partnership with the Australian.

Novak Djokovic: My serve, both in doubles and singles, was exceptional. I worked there.

Next, the world number seven shared his thoughts on his first singles match of the season. “As for the singles match, it was very solid. Hijikata played well. After the 0-3, he started to raise his level. I started very well and maintained my level for almost the entire match, apart from a few low moments. I had a few slumps, but I think it served well. He made me work, especially in the second set, to win. From 3-3 in the second set, I improved my game, broke twice and finished the match. My service helped me a lot. My serve, both in doubles and singles, was exceptional. I worked there. It’s great to see that I’m able to win at least one or two free points every game, which is very useful on a surface like this. It was a good start, no doubt,” detailed the Serb from Belgrade.

Djokovic is looking to fine-tune his preparation for the first major tournament of the year, where he will try to regain the crown held by Jannik Sinner, who beat him last year in the semi-finals of the Oceanian event. He is playing in Brisbane for the second time in his career, with a clear objective.

“I really want to go as far as possible in this tournament. I know a lot of people come to see me play and pay their ticket, it’s not to come see me train, they want to see me compete and try to win. I approach each match with this attitude, but it is true that the big objective remains Melbourne. I want to refine my shots and make sure I’m in the best possible shape for the first match in Melbourne,” explained the holder of 99 titles.

Novak Djokovic: I mainly focus on myself, on how to improve myself physically and mentally.

At 37 years old, and at this advanced stage of his career, Djokovic continues to refine his game, seeking to improve in every aspect beyond the power of his shots. “I’m not looking to completely transform my game. I’m not going to become Giovanni by sending two first serves and going to the net, but I’m certainly looking to improve every shot, even in small ways, as well as some less visible aspects, like court positioning, transition play and tactics. I focus first and foremost on myself, on how I can progress physically and mentally,” declared one of the big favorites in Australia.

“I want to prepare myself to compete, no matter the sacrifices, to work with young people. And then, of course, in the next few weeks, especially the week before the Australian Open, we will analyze my main rivals on video to understand how my game compares to theirs, which I have done well in the past and what I can improve. I like to go into details, but when the tournament starts, I prefer to keep things simple and conceptual. The foundation has to be solid, and then, of course, there is always something that emerges every day that needs to be addressed,” a conclu Novak Djokovic.