Making his second appearance at the event, the first since 2009, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will open singles proceedings on New Year’s Eve, squaring off against wild card Rinky Hijikata at Pat Rafter Arena.
In his opening-round match, the Serbian will meet the Australian player for the first time at tour level.
“It’s a great test. He’s had great success, also in doubles on a big stage [winning the 2023 Australian Open],” the 37-year-old outlined when speaking about Hijikata.
The 23-year-old and compatriot Jason Kubler partnered for the first time to play doubles at the 2023 Australian Open. The duo received a wild card to contest their home Slam, going the distance and advancing to the championship match.
Ultimately, the Australians made history together at Rod Laver Arena, becoming the second wild cards to claim the AO men’s doubles title by defeating Jan Zielinski and Hugo Nys 6-4, 7-6(4) in 83 minutes.
“He’s very talented, a very quick player. He loves to play on surfaces like in Brisbane, where the ball kind of skids through the court and stays low,” Djokovic added.
“I’ve seen him play, and he is a very talented player from the back of the court. Obviously, with the home-crowd support, I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere and a perfect test for me for the first match of the season.”
The world No. 73, who advanced to the quarterfinals playing singles in Brisbane last year, will bid to secure the biggest win of his career against the top seed.
On Monday night, in front of a packed Pat Rafter Arena, Djokovic hit the court alongside home hero Nick Kyrgios, making a career comeback after being sidelined from tour for nearly two years due to injuries.
The pair’s doubles debut quickly turned into an entertaining match, which they won by overpowering Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies duo with a 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10-8 victory.
“It was awesome… packed house, amazing atmosphere,” the 99-time ATP titlist stressed. “Great to be back… [Nick] said the other day that it should be a pleasure to play with him. It is a pleasure.”
The Belgrade-born shooked off the rust in the lead-up to his first singles match of the new season in the Australian summer of tennis.
On a further note, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov set off his run at the ATP 250 venue with a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over German player Yannick Hanfmann.
For his part, last year’s runner-up Holger Rune could not hold off the spirited display of world No. 28 Jiri Lehecka, who took down the Dane in straight sets to reach the second round at Queensland Tennis Center.