Since winning the first of five consecutive Australian titles in 2011, this year’s event is likely the first where Djokovic has entered the Netherlands without privileged status. The No. 7 seed is eyeing a draw that will potentially see him face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters, Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals and Jannik Sinner in the final. He played a tune-up event in Brisbane, losing in straight sets to Reilly Opelka, whom Djokovic could face in the third round. He’s not really an underdog – no one would be too surprised if he wins the title – but he’s no longer seen as the man to beat.
Despite everything, Djokovic remains firmly in the firing line. As seasoned and statesmanlike as he may be at times, he still manages to say things that cause controversy. The stories involving his claims he was poisoned in a Melbourne hotel in 2022 while in visa detention, his alleged slights to world number one Jannik Sinner and the benefits of an “energy drive » that he wears on his body to promote healing are just stories. the last.
A potential distraction is unlikely to disrupt Djokovic’s concentration. He is determined to move forward and be open to growing as a person and a player. As his favorite shoe brand says: healthy mind, healthy body.
“It’s something I respect. I resonate with this philosophy,” he says. “I think it’s always important to progress in life and invest energy and effort to be better. Because everyone does it. So either we will progress or we will regress, stagnation does not exist.
Perhaps that’s why Djokovic brought in Andy Murray to serve as his latest coach, a partnership that more or less came out of left field. Murray, recently retired, is exactly a week older than Djokovic. Although the two have been friends since their time in juniors, it is a somewhat unprecedented move to ask a former rival to take on the role.
