Djokovic makes another push for summit

The burning fire of the golden age of men’s tennis has been reduced to a dying ember without Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, but Novak Djokovic can send one last flame into the Melbourne sky at this year’s Australian Open.

Having ticked the Olympic champion off his wish-list in Paris, Djokovic has the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in his sights and few would bet against him leaving Rod Laver Arena on January 26 with an unprecedented 25th.

Yes, at 37, the body isn’t what it used to be, and yes, world number one Jannik Sinner won both of their competitions last year, but the gritty move that made Serbia’s favorite son the most successful male player ever of the seasons endures.

“My main motivation comes from the love and passion for the sport and the desire to keep competing,” he said after losing to Sinner in the final of the Shanghai Masters in his last outing in 2024.

“Those are the matches and the challenges that I’m still striving for, to be able to play against the best players in the world, on the biggest stage, in the finals of some of the biggest tournaments in the world.”

In 2024, Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017 – his other loss to Sinner came in the semi-finals in Melbourne – but proved he was still an impressive tennis player in his day when he beat Carlos Alcaraz to win the Olympic gold. .

There couldn’t be a more fitting place for Djokovic to finally break out of his tie with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles than on her own court at Melbourne Park, where she has won the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup 10 times.

Some question the standards of some of the 11 Australian Opens Court has won, and others scorn the 82-year-old for her politics, but a Grand Slam record is a Grand Slam record and Court shares it.

Djokovic, like Court, won his first major title at the Australian Open and can end the debate for good in his 22nd visit to Melbourne as a pro.

A great politician

Apart from his trusted group of supporters from the local Serbian community, Djokovic was rarely the most popular player at Melbourne Park, but he was always among the best.

From the die-hard competitor of his youth, to the self-proclaimed “Joker” of his 20s, to the grand statesman of the game today, Djokovic has played incredible tennis on the famous blue courts.

Djokovic’s trip Down Under was famously cut short by being deported from Australia during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2022, an incident that still causes some nerves when he arrives at Melbourne airport.

This year, he arrived in Australia accompanied for the first time by his family and was on hand as he was beaten in straight sets by inspirational American Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.

However, warm-up tournament results have never been a reliable predictor of Djokovic’s performance in the main event.

Contemporary Andy Murray, who lost four Australian Open finals to Djokovic, signed up to his coaching team in the off-season and John McEnroe reckons the Scot will give Djokovic a boost if he needs it as he approaches the summit.

“I think Murray will bring something to the table,” the American great said of the unlikely appointment.

“Just his presence and Novak has a lot of respect for him, so he’ll be able to push him when he needs to.”