Novak Djokovic is a ten-time Australian Open champion, and he will be desperate to add an 11th title to his name this month.
2024 marked a rare year in Djokovic’s career as he failed to win a Grand Slam, though he did claim Olympic Gold, meaning he has now won everything in men’s singles tennis.
He now has former rival Andy Murray in his corner after the Scotsman retired.
However, preparations for the 2025 Australian Open couldn’t have been much worse for Djokovic after he was beaten in the Brisbane International by 6ft 11 Reilly Opelka.
But this is Djokovic we are talking about, and he will no doubt be raring to go for the start of the tournament.
Novak Djokovic at 2025 Australian Open: Ranking
There was a time when Djokovic went 428 weeks as the men’s world number one tennis player.
That wasn’t consecutively, but overall, it works out as 13 years of his career that he has been the official best.
However, he starts the Australian Open down in seventh in the rankings.
This means Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud are among those ahead of him.
Of course, he’s seeded for the tournament, but it’s not where he would want to be.
Novak Djokovic at 2025 Australian Open: Next opponent
Djokovic has been in Australia since the start of the new year and is raring to got for the first Grand Slam of 2025.
He will be seeded 7th in the draw.
The draw for the tournament will be held on Thursday, January 9 and will be streamed on the official Australian Open’s website and YouTube channel at 3:30am UK time.
Novak Djokovic at 2025 Australian Open: How to follow
The Grand Slam is being held at Melbourne Park and play is due to get underway on Sunday, January 12, and it will end on Sunday, January 26.
Main-day sessions each day begin at midnight UK time, until the semi-finals [Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of GMT].
The night sessions will then get underway at 7:30am UK time.
The showpiece event will be shown live on Eurosport.
You can also stream every match of the 2025 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
Entertainment & Sport pass prices on discovery+ are £6.99/month or £59.99/year. For all streaming info, visit here.
talkSPORT will also have updates on Djokovic throughout, and talkSPORT.com will have all the reaction from his journey.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Novak Djokovic at 2025 Australian Open: What has been said?
Djokovic has revealed he is still scared of being in Australia after he was detained in 2022 because he didn’t meet the Covid vaccine requirements.
After being quarantined, he was deported.
But he returned in 2023 to be crowned champion.
However, that first experience still has an impact on him.
Speaking ahead of the tournament starting, he said: “I have [some trauma] to be quite frank.
“The last couple of times that I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago.
“And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport – are they going to take me, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling.”