Novak Djoković

[Lleyton]

[Lleyton]

Dominant Djokovic Dismisses Dzumhur In Doha

Spoiler:

Two-time champ begins pursuit of third title in Doha

It might be a new year, but Damir Dzumhur had to deal with the same Novak Djokovic on Tuesday in Doha. World No. 1 Djokovic picked up where he left off at the end of the 2018 season, beating Dzumhur 6-1, 6-2 in just 55 minutes to reach the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

The top seed has won 11 consecutive matches at the season-opening event — having lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2017 — and he is now 13-1 overall at the ATP 250 tournament. Djokovic will next face 2018 Geneva champion Marton Fucsovics for a spot in the quarter-finals.

“To start off the tournament as I have tonight obviously makes me very, very confident and also very happy,” Djokovic said. “First day of the new year, I want to wish everyone a happy new year, lots of good emotions and lots of good tennis.”

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Djokovic is riding a tidal wave of momentum into 2019, having climbed from No. 22 in the ATP Rankings last June to his fifth year-end No. 1 finish, winning 35 of his final 38 matches on the year. During that stretch, the Serbian triumphed at Wimbledon, completed his Career Golden Masters in Cincinnati, and lifted the trophy at the US Open. In his final eight tournaments of the year, he failed to reach the final just once (Toronto).

And if his first match of the new campaign is any indicator, Djokovic is still trending upwards. Dzumhur, a three-time ATP Tour titlist, is one of the most consistent players on the circuit, using his speed to make ball after ball and force his opponents into making mistakes. But Djokovic was locked in from the first ball, redirecting shots side to side from the baseline, frustrating the World No. 47 throughout their encounter. It was as if he was suffocating Dzumhur, pushing him well behind the baseline and forcing the Bosnian to go for more than he wanted to or risk being dominated from the back of the court.

Djokovic won an impressive 77 per cent of second-serve return points, taking the offensive immediately. The top seed also took care of his serve, not facing a break point in the match.

Djokovic’s next opponent, Fucsovics, beat Marius Copil 6-3, 6-2 in 72 minutes. The Hungarian saved all eight break points he faced to defeat the Romanian, whom he broke four times.

Did You Know?
Djokovic is approaching two different milestones in 2019. The Serbian is now just 13 match wins from reaching 850 at tour-level in his career. The World No. 1 is also just four titles from reaching No. 75.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... 19-tuesday

[arti]

Djokovic Survives Fucsovics Scare In Doha

Spoiler:

Novak Djokovic remained on course for a third Qatar ExxonMobil Open title after rallying from a set down to beat Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday.

The two-time champion, who improved to 14-1 in Doha, was tested throughout the opening two sets, but managed to win 67 per cent (14/21) of second-serve return points in the final set to book his place in the quarter-finals. Djokovic's only loss in Doha came on his debut in 2015, falling in three sets to Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals.

“He was a better player for two sets and, no doubt, I managed to break his resistance towards the end of the second set... I just think he dropped his level a little bit, and I managed to get on top of him,” Djokovic said. “He did surprise me with his level. It was very high throughout the two sets. I must say that he was the one that was dictating the play. He was really great in defence. [He had] a very good serve, had great tactics, and he managed to get very close to the win.”

In 2016, Djokovic did not drop a set en route to his maiden crown in Qatar, beating Tomas Berdych and Rafael Nadal in back-to-back matches to clinch the title. The following year, Djokovic retained the trophy with hard fought three-set wins over Fernando Verdasco and Andy Murray in the semi-finals and final, respectively.

Watch Live

In a tense opening set, Fucsovics started with confidence before making the decisive move at 4-4. The Geneva champion pushed Djokovic to the limit in extended rallies, with the World No. 1 needing all his defensive skill and variety to keep pace. But, after saving two break points, Djokovic was unable to contain his opponent much longer. Fucsovics eventually broke serve on his third break point of the game with a driven backhand up the line before holding his nerve to serve out the set to love.

Fucsovics maintained his level in the second set, trading blows with Djokovic in baseline rallies and finding success on his forehand side. But Djokovic managed to raise his level when it mattered most. The 72-time tour-level titlist found his range on his forehand side, earning two set points with a sharp-angled forehand winner before clinching the set in dramatic fashion as Fucsovics made an ill-judged Hawk Eye challenge on a Djokovic forehand that clipped the baseline.



You May Also Like: Wawrinka On A Roll In Doha


The World No. 1 rode the momentum into the third set, holding serve comfortably to 15 before capitalising on back-to-back forehand errors from his opponent to break for a 2-0 lead. A second break soon followed after a confident love service hold and, despite surrendering one of his service breaks, Djokovic immediately regained his double-break advantage before closing out the match. The Serbian converted his first match point with a backhand winner up the line.

Djokovic will meet Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in the semi-finals. The Serbian won their lone prior FedEx ATP Head2Head matchup last year in Rome. Basilashvili defeated 2018 runner-up Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4, converting all four break points he earned throughout the 61-minute contest.

"I played [Novak] last year and I am really looking forward to it," said Basilashvili. "It will be a really interesting experience for me again. He is playing really well at this moment."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... -wednesday

[Lleyton]

[grzes430]

Djokovic Survives Tough Doha Test (Again)

Spoiler:

Berdych into semis in first event back from injury

Novak Djokovic was made to work hard once more at the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open on Thursday as the World No. 1 fought back from a set down for the second day running. Twenty-four hours after a comeback win over Marton Fucsovics, the 2016 and 2017 champion knocked out fifth-seeded Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic, who clinched year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings for the fifth time last season, will next challenge seventh-seeded Spaniard Roberto-Bautista Agut for a place in Saturday’s final. Djokovic leads Bautista Agut 7-1 in the FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

"I thought Basilashvili was playing terrific from the beginning. I expected him to," said Djokovic on court of the Georgian, who won his first two ATP Tour titles in 2018, both at ATP 500 events. "I knew that he’s playing probably the tennis of his life in the past 10 months, and he’s definitely one of the greatest hitters in the game."

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Basilashvili made an immediate impact against the Serbian with his aggressive style of play, breaking in the first and fifth games en route to a 4-1 lead, prior to remaining cool under pressure with pinpoint accurate groundstroke winners.

Djokovic regrouped by absorbing the pressure to open up a 3-0 advantage in the second set. And as Basilashvili came close to recovering to 4-5, the Serbian gained the crowds support with scintillating defence. Both players put everything they had into long, punishing rallies at the start of the decider, which was highlighted by back-to-back service breaks. But Djokovic ultimately was too solid for the up-and-down Basilashvili, triumphing after one hour and 56 minutes.

"I feel I have a gear or two up still. I can still get to one or two levels up, but I thought under the circumstances I managed to find a way to win against a player that is hitting the ball very fast and just being very aggressive. It's hard to predict where the ball is going to go with a player like him," Djokovic said. "So you kind of have to be alert at the same time when the chances present [themselves] to take control. Easier said than done because he was really hitting the ball fast from back of the court, so he was not giving me a lot of time to manipulate, maneuver from back of the court. So many times I found myself in defence. I managed to get a win, which is what matters."

Djokovic has now won 13 consecutive matches in Doha, and is 15-1 overall at the tournament. The World No. 1, owner of 72 tour-level titles, is trying to lift a trophy for the 14th consecutive season, and continue the momentum of his impressive finish to 2018 in which he reached the final in his last five tournaments, winning three of them.

Bautista Agut

Seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut also played with great poise from the baseline on Thursday to outlast 2008 finalist Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4.

"I think Stan is a really good player. He is really a tough opponent to beat and we knew each other very well," Bautista Agut said. "Today I was very consistent and played with a lot of rhythm. I think I did a very complete match."

The Spaniard got off to strong starts by breaking Wawrinka in the first game and clinched the 48-minute opener on his fourth set point chance. He broke immediately at the start of the second set and put Wawrinka under pressure in the fifth and seventh games. At 5-4, Bautista Agut recovered from 15/40 to complete victory in one hour and 45 minutes.

Last year, the Spaniard lifted the biggest title of his career at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Pouille), an ATP 500-level tournament.

"Tough opponent for sure. He hasn't dropped a set this week. He played great today against Stan. I saw the match. Just very consistent. Doesn't miss much. In conditions like this, it's quite suitable to him," Djokovic said. "He gets to many balls and he makes you play. That's his strength. He always puts an extra ball in the court."

On the other half of the draw, Czech wild card Tomas Berdych, competing in his first tournament since the 2018 Fever-Tree Championships, beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6-4 in 71 minutes. It is Berdych's first tour-level semi-final since February 2018 in Marseille, and he will play fourth seed Marco Cecchinato, who beat Dusan Lajovic 7-6(2), 6-2.

Did You Know?
Djokovic also competed in doubles on Thursday, falling short with brother Marko Djokovic in a Match Tie-break against David Goffin and Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Djokovic/Djokovic, who had lost their five previous matches together before this week, held three match points. Read Report

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/bautist ... 9-thursday

[Lleyton]

Djokovic Matching Donations In 'Season Of Giving' Campaign

Spoiler:

The campaign, lasting through 8 January, has raised more than $70,000

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a tremendous 2018 season on the court, climbing from as low as No. 22 in the ATP Rankings to World No. 1, finishing the year atop tennis’ mountain for the fifth time. But Djokovic is not only succeeding on the court.

Djokovic and his wife, Jelena Djokovic, are matching all donations to his Novak Djokovic Foundation — dollar-for-dollar — through 8 January as part of a ‘Season of Giving’ campaign. More than $70,000 has already been raised, and all funds will benefit the foundation's school builds program. The Novak Djokovic Foundation hopes to use this campaign to build more preschools in Serbia in order to help enroll more children in quality early childhood education.

“According to the current state of affairs in Serbia, every second child doesn’t have the possibility to attend a pre-school program. Thankfully, we, adults, have the power to transform their lives and shape their future for the better,” Djokovic said in a statement. “So, this and every holiday season, it is so important to remember that there are so many kids out there who need our help and support to become the champions of their own dreams, and that’s why Jelena and I decided to do whatever we can to affect this change in our society.”

You May Also Like: Novak Djokovic Foundation Helping Serbian Kindergarteners Prosper

The Novak Djokovic Foundation invested $751,802 in 2017 alone, and continued its efforts in a major way in 2018. In just one example, the foundation donated more than €30,000 for the purchase of new furniture, sports materials and more to aid in the educational experience for four classes housed at two kindergartens in Serbia. To date, the foundation has reconstructed or built 41 kindergartens, and its work has benefitted more than 22,000 children. Thanks to the efforts of the Djokovic family and the kindness of those who have donated in their 'Season of Giving' campaign, those numbers will continue to rise.

"Investing in early childhood development is so important to us because we believe that to invest in early years is to invest in the future of our kids and the future of our world. Novak and I were so lucky to have had quality support, care and education at those formative years, but there are more than 50 per cent of kids in our country that don’t have this option," said Jelena Djokovic, the co-founder and Global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation. "That’s why this fundraiser is so important — to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood development and to motivate people to give back, because together, we can achieve so many great things!"

But that's not all: the Novak Djokovic Foundation continues to support the Djokovic Science and Innovation Fellowship at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, giving doctoral students the ability to further their research in an attempt to improve the quality of early childhood development and education throughout the world. So while Djokovic continues to succeed on the court, his impact is felt off of it, too. Read More: Novak Partners With Harvard To Defeat ‘Toxic Effects Of Child Poverty’

"We are seeing similar problem in more or less many undeveloped countries. Novak is invited on many fronts to help out, especially in the field of education and sport. Our country is small, almost invisible to so many people. We feel big loyalty and need to first clean up our own garden before we tackle other world’s issues," said Jelena Djokovic. "We are learning so much every day on the field. We hope to use that knowledge for furthering our mission and vision beyond Serbia in the upcoming years."

Did You Know?
The Novak Djokovic Foundation received an ATP ACES For Charity grant in 2013 and 2017. In 2012, Djokovic was named the ATP World Tour's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... ng-2018-19

[Lleyton]

Djokovic: 'That's What You Get For Losing Focus'

Spoiler:

Serbian had won 13 straight matches in Doha

Novak Djokovic was on the doorstep of victory in the semi-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, leading Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 4-3, with a break in the second set. But the Spaniard mounted a spirited comeback to upset the top seed 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

Nobody ever wants to lose, especially when victory is within reach. But Djokovic gave all credit to Bautista Agut, who will play Tomas Berdych for the title on Saturday.

“I want to congratulate him,” Djokovic said. “Especially in the third set he played well. I thought he was hitting the ball very clean and not making a lot of errors.”

One can dig deep into a match to analyse why one player wins and another loses. Bautista Agut maintained unrelenting pressure throughout the match, making few mistakes against the Serbian to earn his second victory against a World No. 1 (def. Djokovic, 2016 Shanghai). But Djokovic does not want to dwell on his loss. After all, he has still won 29 of his past 32 matches.

You May Also Like: Bautista Agut Stuns Djokovic In Doha

“I lost the match. That's it. He managed to turn things around, obviously at the end of the second set. I thought I was pretty much in control of the match,” Djokovic said. “He played a good game. I missed some easy balls and that's what you get as a result of losing the focus in the most important moments. And it happens, it happens.”

A loss is a loss, but there are still positives for Djokovic to leave Doha with. He was able to spend 11 hours and four minutes on court in his first tournament of the year, which includes his run to the doubles semi-finals with brother Marko Djokovic.

“This is what I was looking forward to, to get from this tournament, as many matches as possible, to get ready for the Australian Open. So I'm very pleased,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, I'm not pleased that I lost the match today, but I lost to a better player in the end and I have to turn the next page.”

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One might wonder if Djokovic’s efforts on the doubles court affected his singles play. But the 72-time tour-level titlist said that is not the case. Djokovic enjoyed playing with his brother, and believes that the reason he lost to Bautista Agut was simple, and it has nothing to do with doubles.

“I was very close to winning the match. A few points decided the winner,” Djokovic said. “He was the one.”

The World No. 1 may be disappointed to not advance to the final, but the loss will not change his mindset moving forward. Djokovic’s next tournament is the Australian Open, where he has triumphed six times. And to nobody’s surprise, the goal he is striving for in Melbourne remains the same.

“A trophy.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... -doha-2019

[DUN I LOVE]

Do wczorajszej porażki Novak notował co najmniej finał w 7 z 8 ostatnich turniejów (poza Kanadą). 8/9, jeżeli weźmiemy pod uwagę pokazówkę w Abu Dhabi.

[Damian]

[grzes430]

Novak Djoković o porażce z Roberto Bautistą: Myślałem, że kontroluję mecz

Spoiler:

- Myślałem, że kontroluję mecz, ale pod koniec drugiego seta udało mu się odwrócić sprawę - mówił Novak Djoković po porażce w półfinale turnieju ATP w Dosze. Serb przegrał z Roberto Bautistą, choć prowadził z przewagą seta i przełamania.
Marcin Motyka
Marcin Motyka
05 Stycznia 2019, 09:05

Getty Images / Lintao Zhang / Na zdjęciu: Novak Djoković

ATP Doha: Novak Djoković nie otworzy roku turniejowym triumfem. Serb przegrał półfinałową bitwę z Roberto Bautistą
Novak Djoković odpadł w półfinale turnieju ATP w Dosze, przegrywając 6:3, 6:7(6), 4:6 z Roberto Bautistą. - Byłem bardzo blisko wygranej. O tym, kto będzie zwycięzcą, zadecydowało kilka punktów, Został nim on - mówił Serb na konferencji prasowej.
Djoković przegrał, choć prowadził już 6:3 i 4:2. - Myślałem, że kontroluję mecz, ale pod koniec drugiego seta udało mu się odwrócić sprawę. Popsułem zbyt wiele łatwych piłek i taka porażka to jest, co dostajesz w wyniku utraty koncentracji w ważnych momentach. To się zdarza - ocenił.

Dla belgradczyka to druga porażka z Hiszpanem w dziewiątej konfrontacji. - Chcę mu pogratulować. Grał dobrze, szczególnie w trzecim secie. Myślę, że bardzo czysto uderzał piłkę i nie popełniał wielu błędów.

Występ w Dosze był dla lidera rankingu ATP testem przed wielkoszlemowym Australian Open (14-27 stycznia). - Wziąłem udział w tym turnieju, aby dzięki jak największej liczbie rozegranych meczów jak najlepiej przygotować się do Australian Open. Oczywiście, nie jestem zadowolony, że doznałem porażki, ale przegrałem z lepszym tenisistą i teraz muszę przejść na następną stronę - powiedział.

- Ta porażka nic nie zmienia. Jadę do Melbourne, aby wziąć trofeum - dodał.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/79749 ... oluje-mecz

[Lleyton]

Novak Djokovic speaks about Australian Open goals, fumes at journalist!

Spoiler:

In press conference after his three-set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in Doha, Novak Djokovic was asked what his goal for this month's Australian Open. 'A trophy', Djokovic replied to the journalist who asked him the question.

'Why, do you think after this week I don't deserve to be contender for trophy? You said even after this week. I don't understand that comment.' Commenting on his long run in Doha, Djokovic added: 'It was a tough tournament for me, considering the amount of matches I played, both singles and doubles.

Playing with my brother is a pleasure but also you care a lot. I care playing with him more than with anybody else, so that's why it took a lot out of me emotionally. I don't think it affected me negatively too much prior to this match.

As I said, I was very close to winning the match. A few points decided the winner. He was the one.' Bautista Agut, who won the title in Doha after upsetting Djokovic in the semi-finals, was happy and pleased with the off-season he had had: 'I think the experience during the years makes you do better work every year.

I think my coach and my coaches and me handle it well. I had a very good pre-season. I had almost two months at home. It is refreshing for us and also for me after ten months traveling around the world and I start very good the season because I really like these conditions and it's good for my tennis.' ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: Worse players than David Ferrer won a Grand Slam title

https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/n ... ournalist/

[Damian]

Marian Vajda: Djoković chciałby zdobyć Kalendarzowego Wielkiego Szlema. Rozmawialiśmy też o rekordzie Federera

Spoiler:

Marian Vajda, trener Novaka Djokovicia, opowiedział o celach swojego podopiecznego. Serb chce wygrać wszystkie turnieje Wielkiego Szlema w jednym roku, a w dalszej perspektywie - pobić rekord Rogera Federera w liczbie wielkoszlemowych tytułów.
Czytaj także:

Łzy mistrza. Roger Federer rozpłakał się podczas wywiadu na wspomnienie o byłym trenerze

Brisbane i Sydney gospodarzami ATP Cup. Roger Federer apeluje o zachowanie Pucharu Hopmana

Ranking ATP: niewielki spadek Huberta Hurkacza. Kamil Majchrzak awansował o jedną pozycję
Od kwietnia, po niemal rocznej przerwie, Marian Vajda znów jest trenerem Novaka Djokovicia. Pod wodzą Słowaka Serb wrócił na szczyt. W ubiegłym sezonie wygrał cztery turnieje, w tym dwa wielkoszlemowe (Wimbledon i US Open) oraz zakończył rozgrywki na pozycji lidera rankingu ATP, choć w maju był klasyfikowany dopiero na 22. lokacie.
- Kiedy ponownie zacząłem współpracę z Novakiem, nie był w stanie wygrywać wielkich meczów. Ale wiedziałem, że znów będzie mistrzem. Po prostu nie wiedziałem, kiedy to się stanie - mówił Vajda, cytowany przez Sportklub.

Słowak pozostał trenerem Djokovicia na sezon 2019. I wyjawił, że jego podopieczny ma ogromne ambicje: - Novak chciałby zdobyć Kalendarzowego Wielkiego Szlema, czyli wygrać wszystkie turnieje wielkoszlemowe w roku - powiedział Vajda.

Ale to nie wszystko. W dalszej perspektywie Serb chce prześcignąć Rogera Federera w liczbie triumfów w turniejach Wielkiego Szlema. Jak na razie traci do Szwajcara sześć tytułów. - Rozmawialiśmy o rekordzie Federera. Novak w tej chwili ma 14 wielkoszlemowych tytułów, a Roger 20. Aby tego dokonać, konieczna jest ciężka praca i zachowanie zdrowia - dodał słowacki szkoleniowiec.

Pierwszy krok w kierunku spełnienia swoich celów Djoković może postawić w nadchodzącym Australian Open (14-27 stycznia). W Melbourne będzie najwyżej rozstawiony.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/79811 ... rozmawiali

[Damian]

[Lleyton]

Three Reasons Novak Djokovic May Win The 2019 Australian Open

Spoiler:

Serbian will be going for a record-setting seventh Australian Open crown

1. It's his best Slam.
Take any statistic you want, and nearly all of them will show you Novak Djokovic's best Grand Slam tournament takes place at Melbourne Park. In 14 appearances, he's won 88 per cent (61-8) of his matches and six titles – both personal bests at Slams.

Thinking of it a different way: Nearly half the time Djokovic has shown up in Melbourne, he's won the event. His six titles have him tied with Roger Federer for the Open Era record. Djokovic outright owns the Open Era record for most consecutive Australian Open titles won at three, triumphing from 2011-13.

View the AO Draw

“I've had a love affair with Rod Laver Arena for many years and I hope it can last a long time,” Djokovic said after winning his most recent Australian Open title, in 2016.

2. Hard courts are his best surface.
Each member of the historic trio has his favourite roaming ground: Rafael Nadal loves the dirt, Federer favours the grass, and Djokovic dominates the concrete.

The Serbian has won 84 per cent (542-102) of his matches on hard courts, an Open Era record, according to the FedEx ATP Performance Zone. To place that three-digit number in context, only 45 men in the Open Era have won 500 matches, on all surfaces combined. American Jim Courier, a former No. 1 and a four-time Grand Slam champion, finished his career with 506 wins, total.

Two out of every three titles (54/84) Djokovic has won have come on outdoor hard courts.

You May Also Like: Kokkinakis Qualifies For Australian Open; Krueger To Face Djokovic

3. He's on a roll.
Since the start of Wimbledon, Djokovic has won 38 of his 42 matches, including titles at SW19, the Western & Southern Open, the US Open and the Rolex Shanghai Masters. He'll try to become the first man to win three or more consecutive Grand Slam titles three times.

The No. 1 player in the ATP Rankings won three consecutive Slams in 2011-12, and he won all four consecutively in 2015-16, when he became the first man to hold the four Grand Slam titles at once since Rod Laver in 1969.

Djokovic at the Australian Open

Year


Result

2018


Fourth Round

2017


Second Round

2016


Champion

2015


Champion

2014


Quarter-finalist

2013


Champion

2012


Champion

2011


Champion

2010


Quarter-finalist

2009


Quarter-finalist

2008


Champion

2007


Fourth Round

2006


First Round

2005


First Round

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/three-r ... alian-open

[arti]

Djokovic Honoured To Be Back In Melbourne, Reflects On 2008 Triumph

Spoiler:

Ahead of his bid for a record-breaking seventh title at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic took time to praise fans before his first-round match against American qualifier Mitchell Krueger.
The World No. 1, who reached the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semi-finals last week (l. to Bautista Agut), expressed his delight to be back at the event where he has received great crowd support since making his tournament debut against Marat Safin in 2005. Djokovic has lifted six trophies and compiled a 61-8 record at the first Grand Slam of the season.
"I've had lots of success in Australia in the past," said Djokovic. "I think it's also due to that support that I get from the Serbian community, but also people internationally that come to support all the tennis players during the next couple of weeks... They call it the Happy Slam for a reason.
"There's a lot of good vibes [and a] good buzz around the city. The people of Australia love sport and nurture sporting values. They love their tennis. During this four weeks, you can see a lot of tennis on the TV. Everybody follows it. So as a tennis player, obviously it's a great honor and pleasure to be here.
Now 11 years on from his first title run in Melbourne, Djokovic addressed the impact his first Grand Slam title has had on his career. At 20 years of age, Djokovic beat Lleyton Hewitt, David Ferrer and Roger Federer in straight sets before rallying from a set down to defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the championship match.
"The Australian Open has been, historically, my most successful Grand Slam," said Djokovic. "Back in 2008, it was my first [Grand Slam] trophy that I won... That obviously served as a great springboard for my career. It opened a lot of doors for me. It allowed me to believe in myself that I can actually win the biggest tournaments in the world and challenge the best players in the world."
En route Djokovic's six Australian Open titles, the Serbian has had to overcome the challenge of Andy Murray on five occasions. The World No. 1 has met Murray in four finals and one semi-final on Rod Laver Arena, in a remarkable chapter of their 36-match FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry.
Djokovic shared his thoughts on Murray's recent announcement that he will retire from the sport, due to struggles with right hip pain, during the 2019 ATP Tour season. A winner of 45 tour-level singles titles and a five-time finalist in Melbourne, Murray is hoping to end his career in front of home fans at Wimbledon in July.
"Obviously to see him struggle so much and go through so much pain, it's very sad and it hurts me as his long-time friend, colleague and rival," said Djokovic. "I've nurtured a very good relationship with him on and off the court. I'm proud to have that kind of relationship that will go on hopefully for many more years, regardless of whether we get to play against each other or not, whether he continues playing, whatever happens.
"I will carry beautiful memories from the court and off the court, as well, with him included... So it's sad for me, but for all [of the] sport, because Andy is a very respected and likeable guy around the locker room. He's a great champion. He's a legend of this sport, without a doubt... He's had it all."

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Djokovic Set To Begin Title Pursuit As Kyrgios & Raonic Clash

Spoiler:

Novak Djokovic crafted an incredible run from World No. 22 last June to No. 1 in the year-end ATP Rankings, completing his Career Golden Masters in Cincinnati and lifting titles at Wimbledon and the US Open along the way. And now, Djokovic will look to earn a record seventh trophy at the Australian Open, starting his pursuit on Tuesday against American qualifier Mitchell Krueger.
“[The] Australian Open has been historically my most successful Grand Slam. Back in 2008, it was my first trophy that I won, first major trophy, that obviously served as a great springboard for my career,” Djokovic said. “It opened a lot of doors for me. It allowed me to believe in myself that I can actually win the biggest tournaments in the world, challenge the best players in the world.”
Djokovic’s belief is surely sky-high as he enters his match against Krueger, who owns just two tour-level wins. It will be the American’s first clash against an opponent inside the Top 25 of the ATP Rankings, and both of his ATP Tour victories came against Frenchman Benoit Paire.
Top-seeded Djokovic has played 17 matches at Grand Slams against qualifiers, and has won all of them. If the Serbian advances, he could face wild card Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, whom he defeated in the 2008 final in Melbourne to claim his maiden major title. Tsonga faces Slovak Martin Klizan, who ousted the Frenchman at the 2012 US Open in their only previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.
Also starting his campaign is fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who takes on Slovenian Aljaz Bedene. Zverev has never advanced past the third round at Melbourne Park, but the German has also never had as much momentum, triumphing at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in November. Nevertheless, he is not pressuring himself for a breakthrough.
“I don't put any on me actually, to be honest. I've never been past the third round [here], so we'll see how it goes,” Zverev said. “I just want to enjoy being here. I just want to enjoy playing as much as I can. I just want to enjoy playing in the biggest stadiums, playing in the biggest matches. Once I learn how to really enjoy it and really find fun in what I do, I think everything else will take care of itself.”
Zverev holds a 2-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead against Bedene, who is winless in six appearances at the Australian Open.
Perhaps the match of the day will be Tuesday’s last clash on Melbourne Arena, pitting No. 16 seed Milos Raonic against home hope Nick Kyrgios.
Former World No. 3 Raonic has reached a semi-final (2016) and two quarter-finals (2015, 2017) in Melbourne, and shown his ability to go deep at the biggest tournaments by making three ATP Masters 1000 finals as well as the championship match at Wimbledon in 2016.
Across the net is a player in Kyrgios who loves competing on home soil, and on his day, the 23-year-old can compete with the best in the world, owning wins against all members of the ‘Big Four’: Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. While Kyrgios’ best result at the Australian Open came four years ago, when he made the last eight, he is excited about what should be a thrilling first-rounder.
“Milos is a tough player. We've played each other a couple times at Grand Slams. We've played each other at Masters [1000] events, Tour events. We both know each other's games fairly well,” Kyrgios said. “It's going to be incredibly tough. I'm very excited just to be out here in the Aussie summer in front of the home crowd, to play a tough opponent. I can see it as a good thing. I have to be locked in from the get-go.”
The pair has split six previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings. You can expect many quick holds, with Raonic winning 91 per cent of his career service games, and Kyrgios holding 88 per cent of the time. The match could come down to whether Kyrgios will be able to neutralise enough of the Canadian’s serves to bring his forehand — arguably the best groundstroke on the court — into play on a consistent basis. The winner will face 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka or Ernests Gulbis.
Seventh seed Dominic Thiem also has an interesting match-up against the talented Frenchman Paire. Thiem took their only previous FedEx ATP Head2Head clash two years ago in a four-setter at the Australian Open.
Thiem is unafraid of taking massive cuts at his strokes, especially with his one-handed backhand. Paire’s best shot is his two-handed backhand, which could create some fun cross-court rallies. The Frenchman also frequents the net and makes good use of the drop shot.
Eighth seed Kei Nishikori will look to maintain the momentum of his Brisbane International victory when he plays qualifier Kamil Majchrzak.
“I usually do well there, but I never won the tournament yet… so I'm happy to finally win a tournament,” said Nishikori, who had not lifted a tour-level trophy since 2016 Memphis. “This is best start of the year for me.”
This time last year, Nishikori was recovering from a wrist injury that forced him to start 2018 on the ATP Challenger Tour rather than in Australia. The Japanese star would build up enough form to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

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Djokovic Still Perfect, Opens Australian Open Campaign

Spoiler:

Six-time former champion Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record to 17-0 against qualifiers at major championships on Tuesday night as he began his Australian Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Mitchell Kruger for a place in the second round.

World No. 1 Djokovic, who is hoping to capture his 15th Grand Slam championship crown and move ahead of Pete Sampras (14) in the all-time major singles title list, will now challenge France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 finalist, who is returning from left knee surgery last year. Djokovic leads Tsonga 16-6 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

Earlier in the day, Tsonga lost just three of his first-service points (50/53) and struck 23 aces in a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Martin Klizan of Slovakia in two hours and 26 minutes.

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Having lost his first service game in the third game, Djokovic immediately bounced back to dominate baseline rallies and push around Krueger, who was playing just his second major championship match (2018 US Open). Djokovic won five straight games from 3-3 in the first set to 2-0 in the second set, and went on to break for a 4-1 advantage.

Qualifier Krueger, 25, saved break points in his first two service games — including five in the third game — to keep his opponent at bay in the third set. From 1-2 down, Djokovic got fired up, varying his groundstroke speed and placement, often striking to the two-handed backhand of Krueger, to win five straight games. Krueger struck a forehand return into the net to end the encounter, which lasted two hours and three minutes.

The 31-year-old Djokovic is bidding to win a third consecutive Grand Slam title and become the first man in history to record three streaks of three or more consecutive major titles (three straight titles in 2011-12 and four straight in 2015-16.)

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