Djokovic begins 2025 season with commanding Brisbane win

Novak Djokovic opened his 2025 tennis campaign with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over Rinky Hijikata in the first round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday night.

The Serbian veteran delivered a statement performance, taking just 74 minutes to secure the win in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Djokovic’s serving was a standout feature of the match, as he fired 12 aces and won 81% of points on his first serve.

“I think serving helped a lot,” Djokovic said post-match.

“My serving both in doubles and singles was terrific. Been working on it. Great to see that I’m able to get, every game, at least one or two free points. That helps a lot, you know, on a surface like this.”

The 37-year-old enters the 2025 season with determination to refine his game after a challenging 2024, during which he failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time in eight years. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic shared his commitment to continuous improvement.

“I definitely am looking to improve, even if it’s the slightest percentage, every single shot that I have in my game,” he said.

“Maybe something that people don’t necessarily see is this court positioning, the transition play, the tactics. Just focusing mostly on myself, really, how I can be better physically, game-wise, mentally, as well.”

As Djokovic nears his 38th birthday, he emphasized his enduring passion for competition and his readiness to challenge the younger generation of players.

“I’m ready to compete, whatever it takes, however many hours it takes with the youngsters,” he said.

The Serbian remains a heavy favourite to win the Brisbane International, with top betting sites listing him at -151.52 to claim the title.

He also sits on the third line of betting for the Australian Open later this month, with odds of +350 behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Next, Djokovic will face Gael Monfils in the round of 16.

The matchup is expected to favor Djokovic heavily with the tennis betting odds, given his 19-0 head-to-head record against the Frenchman.

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