4 Players who can defeat Novak Djokovic at Brisbane open

Serbian Tennis star Novak Djokovic is determined to secure a record 25th Grand Slam title after a challenging 2024, where he couldn’t add to his tally despite claiming Olympic singles gold in Paris.

Novak Djokovic will kick off his 2025 season with a focused pursuit of an 11th Australian Open title at the Brisbane International, as announced on Wednesday. Notably, the Serbian powerhouse is now under the guidance of Andy Murray.

The ATP-WTA event is scheduled to take place from December 29 to January 5, in anticipation of the Australian Open commencing on January 12. This tournament presents a significant opportunity for players, particularly for one contender who could secure his 100th career title, joining the ranks of Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as only the third man in the Open era to achieve this milestone.

Additionally, Brisbane tournament marks the return of Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios to the professional circuit. Other male players participating in Brisbane as they kick off their year include Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe, and Matteo Berrettini. 

Grigor Dimitrov, the reigning world number 10 is arriving at the tournament as the second favourite after Novak Djokovic. However, tennis star's head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic does not give much hope. The player has won just one fixture in the last 13 matches they played. His only victory came way back in 2013 at the Madrid Open.

Tennis Stars who can shock Novak Djokovic

4) Matteo Berrettini (Italy)

The current world number 34, high on his confidence after winning the Davis Cup, Matteo Berrettini is in the form of his life and will look to pull off a shocker against Novak, after failing to do so on previous four occasions. In the duo's last encounter, Djokovic defeated Berrettini in the finals of Wimbledon 2021, in four sets.

3) Nick Kyrgios ( Australia)

The Australian tennis star had the better of the Serbian more than anyone on the list. The Aussie has defeated the prime version of Novak Djokovic twice in 2017. The Serb finally got his revenge in the finals of Wimbledon 2022, defeating Kyrgios in four sets.

2) Holger Rune ( Denmark) 

The world number 13 from Denmark has held his own against the Serbian legend two times earlier. However, Novak has had the better of him four times. The last time the duo faced each other was at Wimbledon 2024 in the round of 16, where the Serb defeated Rune in straight sets.

1) Grigor Dimitrov

Grigor Dimitrov, the reigning world number 10 is arriving at the tournament as the second favourite after Novak Djokovic. However, the tennis star head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic does not give much hope. The player has won just one fixture in the last 13 matches they played. His only victory came way back in 2013 at Madrid Open.