Djokovic dominance of Monfils enters third decade

Novak Djokovic extended his career-long jinx over Gael Monfils with a 6-3. 6-3 win at the Brisbane International on Thursday which took the rivalry into a third decade.

The rivalry between 27-year-old Serb and the French showman  a year older – began in 2005 at the US Open first round.

Djokovic earned his first win in that match and has never looked back; he made it 20 with his 74-minute win over the ATP No. 55 to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open run-up event.

“We have been playing for many years. I have known Gael since I was 15,” the Serb said.

“We’ve had some incredible battles.,

“He is one of the best, if not the best, athlete in our sport over the years. Incredible flexibility, agility and speed.

“He is such a great player to watch and a great character and attracts fans around the world to stadiums so tonnes of respect to him and hopefully we can play some more before we both retire.”

Djokovic is on the prowl for the 100th ATP trophy of his career this week in Queensland, where he is competing for the first time since 2009, when he lost in the first round after winning the title two years earlier.

Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have more than Djokovic.

Djokovic has been celebrating his Australian wins with a modified routine given that his wife and children Tara and Stefan are with him on the Southern summer trip for the first time.

“My children told me to have two different kinds of celebrations,” he explained. “My daughter told me to keep going with the (playing an imaginary) violin if I win. 

“My son told me to play the saxophone (use his racquet as a stand-in)  so I try and incorporate both.

“It’s the first time for me to have my family down under. It is a long trip but they have come to support me and we are spending a lot of quality time together off court. 

“My heart is full and it allows me to play my best tennis.”

Djokovic awaits the pending arrival of new coach and advisor Andy Murray in Australia with the Open beginning a week from Sunday in Melbourne.

The Scot is currently on a family ski trip, with video of him on skis making the point that more snow time is required for the Scot.

Djokovic will play his next match against American serve-bot Reilly Opelka who missed all of 2023 through injury.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic continued his dominance over Gael Monfils – by ATPTour.com