Nineteen years after debuting at Rold Laver Arena, a ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic embraced his first training session on his beloved court. Novak trained with his team and hit the ball without issues, showing no signs of that troubling wrist injury from the United Cup. Thus, world no. 1 sent a warning to his closest opponents, not willing to give his Australian Open crown away without a proper fight. Novak was a player to beat at notable events in 2023, reaching four Major finals and lifting three trophies. The 36-year-old finished the season at the top for the eighth time, leaving much younger rivals behind and showing his everlasting class. Djokovic wrapped up the season with trophies in Paris and Turin, hoping for another strong run in 2024. Novak led Serbia at the United Cup at the first event of the season, chasing the title for his country after missing it at last year’s Davis Cup.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Kelly Defina / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Djokovic scored two victories before falling to Alex de Minaur, struggling with his right wrist and raising concerns ahead of his beloved Australian Open. However, Novak stayed calm, knowing how to handle the situation and listening to his body ahead of his first Melbourne practice session. Djokovic kicked off the season against Zhizhen Zhang and delivered a 6-3, 6-2 triumph. The Serb served well, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on the other side. World no. 1 grabbed three breaks from seven opportunities, breaking the rival’s resistance at the beginning of the second set. Novak’s wrist issues appeared against Jiri Lehecka, with the Serb requiring a medical timeout. However, Djokovic earned a 6-1, 6-7, 6-1 victory in two hours and 17 minutes, outplaying his rival in sets one and three and remaining perfect in 2024. Novak played better behind the first and second serve, defending three out of five break points and converting six out of 11 break opportunities, enough to emerge at the top.
Novak Djokovic trained at Rod Laver Arena without issues.
Lehecka fought well in the second set, clinching it in the tie break before losing ground in the decider. Novak felt the pain in his wrist ahead of the third clash with the home favorite Alex de Minaur. The Serb did his best to take it away, but it bothered him on serve and while hitting a forehand. Also, Djokovic struggled on the return and experienced a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against an inspired rival. Alex did his best en route to a career-best victory, delivering bold and aggressive tennis and outplaying Novak on serve and return. They fought at last year’s Australian Open, and the home favorite grabbed only five games after a pale performance. Determined to change that, de Minaur brought his A-game and sent Australia into the United Cup semi-final. Alex claimed 33 out of 34 points behind the first serve, producing Novak’s worst first-serve return numbers ever! Also, the Aussie never faced a break point, keeping the pressure on the other side. Djokovic fought well, but it was not enough to prolong the battle after getting broken once in each set.
Alex served well early on and reached 30-30 on the return at 2-2 before Novak wrapped up the game with two direct points. De Minaur showed his skills at the net in the sixth game, following the rival’s pace and stepping in on the return in the next one. Novak squandered a 40-15 lead and faced issues after a couple of errors. Djokovic offered his rival two break points, denying them and landing a powerful serve for 4-3. The Aussie did not think about those chances too long, producing another fine hold in game eight and pushing strong on the return in the next one. Novak played against three break points and hit a loose forehand on the second, falling behind and allowing Alex to serve for the opener. The Aussie held at 15, wrapping up the opener after 49 minutes and gaining a boost. Novak improved his serve a bit in the second set, reaching 3-3 but still staying miles away from any chances on the return. The seventh game proved crucial after Djokovic wasted a 40-15 lead.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Kelly Defina / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
The Serb played a tired backhand and offered the Aussie a break chance. World no. 1 hit a double fault to lose serve and find himself a set and a break down, propelling his rival closer to the finish line. Riding on that boost, Alex held at love in game eight, moving 5-3 up and serving for the victory in game ten. De Minaur created three match points with a forehand winner, and Djokovic saved them to reach his first deuce on the return. Still, Alex converted the fourth match point, delivering Novak’s first loss of the season. Novak turns his focus on the 11th Australian Open title, hoping to defend the trophy claimed over Stefanos Tsitsipas last year. Novak beat Stefanos 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 55 minutes after a tight battle, saving a set point in the second set and overcoming a break deficit in the third to seal the deal in straight sets. Djokovic will be the top seed in Melbourne ahead of his closest rivals, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.
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