Novak Djokovic's quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam begins against American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy on Monday.
The 24-time Slam winner has won 99 titles on the ATP Tour, and success Down Under would see him join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the only men to reach a century or more, but the 37-year-old must be wary of an in-form teenager.
Match preview
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Although Djokovic claimed an Olympic gold medal in Paris last year — his principal target entering 2024 — last season was a rarity for the 24-time Slam winner, who was unsuccessful at all four leading events for the first time since 2017.
While it was not for want of trying — he reached the semi-finals Down Under and the final at Wimbledon — the 37-year-old's inability to consistently outwit Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz suggested that the 2024 season represented a changing of the guard.
Not one to bow out without a fight, the Serbian superstar, who has always reiterated that he would not retire until he feels unable to compete with the sport's leading players, has recently added the retired Andy Murray to his team and is keen to find another gear.
The seventh seed's start to 2025 has been mixed, with a shock quarter-final loss in straight sets to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane being his only competitive action heading into his favoured Major.
The Serbian is expected to hit another gear at the tournament proper, and it will be fascinating to observe if the sport's greatest player finds the level required to outwit Alcaraz, whom he could face in the quarter-finals Down Under, or Sinner, a possible opponent in the final.
Tournament-opening exits at the majors have been a rarity for Djokovic, with consecutive first-round losses in Australia in 2005 and 2006 being his only early disappointments, highlighting the uphill nature of the task facing Basavareddy.
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The Grand Slam debutant nearly made it to his home event at Flushing Meadows last year but stumbled at the final hurdle in qualifying against Hamad Medjedovic.
Despite not making it out of the round robin at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, the 19-year-old has started 2025 commendably, entering the main draw in Brisbane after defeating former top-100 player Borna Gojo and Lucas Pouille, formerly in the top 10, in qualifying, before losing to Gael Monfils in the opening round.
Monfils then got the better of Basavareddy en route to a historic title in Auckland, but the teenager still advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP 250 event.
The youngster's victories over Francisco Comesana, Alejandro Tabilo and Alex Michelsen at the ASB Classic saw the 19-year-old become the youngest American in nine years to reach an ATP semi-final since Opelka's 2016 feat in Atlanta, highlighting his potential.
Facing Djokovic in your majors debut is a different proposition, though, but the teenager will back himself to play without fear against his illustrious opponent.
Head To Head
The two players will be facing off for the first time on the ATP Tour, with Basavareddy hoping to cause an upset against Djokovic.
Despite reaching last year's Wimbledon final, the Serbian admitted to some struggles against the novel approach of then-Majors debutant Jacob Fearnley, and his American opponent Down Under could pose problems for the 24-time Slam champion.
We say: Djokovic to win in four sets
Although Monday's match is Basavareddy's Majors debut, he should back himself to disrupt Djokovic's rhythm with his exuberance.
While that exuberance could see the teenager claim a set against the Serb, the 10-time Australian Open champion should ultimately outwit his younger opponent in four sets.
