Novak Djokovic kicked off his 2025 Australian Open campaign with a hard-fought victory over 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, who made his Grand Slam debut. Djokovic, aiming for his 11th championship at Melbourne Park and a record 25th major title, overcame a slow start to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. This match marked Djokovic's first with former rival Andy Murray as his coach, a partnership that seemed to provide valuable insights during key moments.
Despite the initial setback, Djokovic expressed his delight at having Murray in his corner, highlighting the unique experience of having his former opponent now supporting him. The two 37-year-olds, born a week apart, engaged in a pre-match chat and shared a fist bump before Djokovic's warm-up routine.
