Novak Djokovic hopes that his unbeaten ‘streak’ against Gael Monfils continues in Brisbane
Novak Djokovic has an astonishing 19-0 record against Gael Monfils but the duo didn't play eachother in 2024.
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Gael Monfils and Novak Djokovic (via X)
Novak Djokovic cruised past Rinky Hijikata in the opening round of the Brisbane International in Australia. This victory marked his first ATP win of the season. His focus now shifts to his next opponent, Gael Monfils.
The Serbian star holds a dominant 19-0 head-to-head record against Gael Monfils, with their first match dating back to the 2005 US Open. Djokovic mentioned having a lighthearted moment in the locker room with the 2008 Roland Garros semifinalist about their one-sided record.
I hope my streak against Gael continues. We met in the locker room after our matches today and talked about it. It’s incredible. He’s a year older than me, but he’s still as strong as ever. He’s always been one of the best athletes on the circuit. Flexibility, agility, speed, strength, everything about him is exceptional.
Novak Djokovic said in an interview (H/T: Punto de Break)
Djokovic and Monfils did not face each other in 2024. The Frenchman might have had a better chance last season, given Djokovic’s inconsistent form throughout the year.
Their most recent encounter was at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, where Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2. Their last match in Australia took place during the 2020 ATP Cup in Auckland, where the Serb secured another straightforward victory with a similar scoreline.
Novak Djokovic shares New Year’s Eve message to Brisbane
Novak Djokovic began his Brisbane International journey by sharing a heartfelt New Year’s Eve message with the crowd. The Serbian star expressed his excitement to start 2025 on a positive note.
Happy new year in advance to everyone. It’s a special evening. Last year I played a match at the United Cup in Perth just before midnight, and again here in Brisbane, so it’s kind of a tradition now happening each year. Thanks for choosing to come and spend new year’s eve on the court here with us, we appreciate it.
Novak Djokovic in the post-match interview in Brisbane
On Tuesday evening, Djokovic played his first singles match since October. He defeated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win. The match, which lasted just 75 minutes, showcased Djokovic’s clean baseline play and accurate serving. This victory followed his doubles success with Nick Kyrgios on Monday (December 30).
Djokovic has another goal in mind this week. A win in Brisbane would make him the third player to achieve 100 tour-level titles, joining Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) in this elite group.
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Fahad Hamid
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