Novak Djokovic has learned which player he will face in his first match of the new season as his potential path to the title at the 2025 Brisbane International has been revealed. The Serbian legend is set to make just his second appearance at the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane, where main draw action will occur from December 29 to January 5. Ernests Gulbis beat him in the opening round of the 2009 edition of the event.
Djokovic is playing his first official tournament since losing to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Shanghai Masters in October. He subsequently withdrew from the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals in Turin to cut his 2024 campaign short. The draw for the 2025 Brisbane International took place on December 28, with Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune and Nick Kyrgios all featuring.
Djokovic’s Brisbane draw provides pause
Djokovic, the top seed, was handed an opening-round showdown with Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata. No. 2 seed Dimitrov, a two-time champion in Brisbane, defeated qualifier Yannik Hanfmann in the first match of his title defense.
Djokovic is seeking his 100th ATP singles title, having won his 99th at the Paris Olympics in August. After Brisbane, the Serbian tennis star will aim to secure a record-extending 11th Australian Open crown in Melbourne. Rune, seeded third and having lost to Dimitrov in the 2024 final, was ousted his opening-round matchup against Jiri Lehecka. The Dane landed in the bottom half of the draw with Dimitrov, while fourth seed Frances Tiafoe is in the top half with the 37-year-old Serb.
If Djokovic comes through his maiden encounter with Hijikata, he will face either Gael Monfils or a qualifier in the second round. The 37-year-old could then meet No. 7 seed Alexei Popyrin in the quarterfinals. Djokovic beat Popyrin at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024 before suffering a shock loss to the Australian at the US Open.
Djokovic could face opponents such as Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, and Kyrgios in the semifinals. With a challenging path ahead, the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s pursuit of his milestone 100th ATP title promises to be an exciting storyline in Brisbane.
If Djokovic wins in Brisbane, he will become only the third man in history to win 100 ATP titles. The previous two are Jimmy Connors with 109 and his great rival, Roger Federer, with 103. Federer won his 1000th match win with his title win in Brisbane in 2015. Hence, there could be more historic storylines to come in the Australian city this week.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
