Novak Djokovic’s first match under the coaching of former rival Andy Murray didn’t begin smoothly, facing a tough challenge from 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy in his Grand Slam debut at the 2025 Australian Open. Despite dropping the first set, Djokovic managed to rally back and secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory to kick off his quest for an 11th title in Melbourne and a record-breaking 25th major championship overall. Djokovic expressed his excitement about having Murray by his side, acknowledging the unique experience of having his longtime opponent now supporting him. The two former rivals shared a chat and fist bump before Djokovic hit the court, where Murray provided valuable advice during the match. Their partnership, born from years of on-court battles and mutual respect, proved beneficial as Djokovic powered through to victory.
In a busy day of tennis action, notable players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, and Naomi Osaka took the court, while other familiar names like Victoria Azarenka, Jelena Ostapenko, and Stefanos Tsitsipas faced early exits. Meanwhile, fan-favorite Nick Kyrgios, dealing with injuries, suffered a defeat against Jacob Fearnley. Djokovic’s relentless play and strategic adjustments ultimately wore down Basavareddy, with the Serbian star showcasing his trademark intensity and powerful backhand to secure the win.
Djokovic delivered a backhand return winner, solidifying his dominance on the court. The set quickly slipped away to the young player, who openly admires the Serbian as his favorite athlete. Basavareddy showcased his finesse with well-executed drop shots and winning lobs, demonstrating his resilience from the baseline against the seasoned baseliner.
Acknowledging Basavareddy’s skill set, Djokovic commended, “Very complete player. He did very pleasantly surprise me with all of his shots and his fighting spirit toward the end.” Despite being separated by precisely 100 spots in the ATP rankings, the contrast in experience and achievements between the two players is considerably broader.
Following this match, Basavareddy’s Grand Slam tournament record stands at 0-1, with his inaugural tour-level appearance occurring just last December. In contrast, Djokovic solidified his record by securing his 378th victory at a major event on Monday. His unparalleled consistency is evident, having not succumbed to a first-round defeat since his early exits at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2006.
Impressed by Basavareddy’s composure, Djokovic remarked, “He didn’t get carried away by the significance of the moment. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of him in the future.”
Howard Fendrich, the esteemed AP tennis writer since 2002, covered this story. To explore more of his work, visit: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. For further AP tennis coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis.
