ATP star says that Novak Djokovic will be the favorite to win his 25th Grand Slam at the Australian Open if he’s sharp and in good shape.
Novak Djokovic (via X)
Novak Djokovic is seeking to become the first player since the Open Era to win 25 Grand Slams. The Serbian is eyeing the 2025 Australian Open as the event in which he can achieve the historical feat. His fellow ATP star Adrian Mannarino recently discussed the possibility of him winning the Melbourne Grand Slam.
Djokovic ended the 2024 season without winning a tour-level title and finished outside the Top 5. The 37-year-old’s only success last season was at the Paris Olympics, where he claimed his elusive gold medal. However, ahead of next season, Djokovic has made Andy Murray his new coach as he hopes to revive his game.
The former World No.1 is also the top seed at the Brisbane International. He made a winning start at the tournament, defeating Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in straight sets. It was Djokovic’s first singles match since his defeat to World No.1 Jannik Sinner at the Rolex Shanghai Masters in October.
Djokovic eventually withdrew from the Paris Masters and ATP Finals. During a recent interview, Adrian Mannarino discussed the possibility of Djokovic winning his 25th Grand Slam at the Australian Open which starts on January 12.
At the Brisbane International, Novak Djokovic will face Gael Monfils in the second round of the tournament. The Serbian has a commanding 19-0 head-to-head record over the Frenchman, and he’s seeking his 100th career title.
The future of French men’s tennis has become a debate in recent weeks. With the retirement of Richard Gasquet drawing closer, the young generation of players are looking to take up the challenge. In the aforementioned interview, Adrian Mannarino pointed out that Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils are the two players he believes will take France to the epicenter of the sport.
Both stars grew in confidence in the 2024 season. Fils won the ATP 500 clay-court Hamburg Open before winning the Japan Open. Humbert won the Open 13 Provence and the Dubai Tennis Championship.
Humbert, 26, and Fils, 20, faced each other at the Japan Open in October. The latter defeated the former in three sets, ending his four-match losing streak against Humbert.
