Novak Djokovic wins opening match in Brisbane on New Year’s Eve, Gael Monfils up next

Novak Djokovic made a winning start to his 2025 season on New Year’s Eve in Brisbane, cruising past Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, in the first round of the ATP 250 event.

It was the 1,125th tour-level win of Djokovic's career, and kicked off his quest for the milestone 100th tour-level title of his career.

“To start off the new season with a win is very important,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “Also, Rinky deserves a round of applause for his performance tonight. Hopefully you guys enjoyed the match, and Happy New Year in advance for everyone!”

Djokovic came out swinging against Hijikata, winning the first seven points of the match and eventually building an early 3-0 lead. The two traded holds from there until Djokovic had the 39-minute first set.

After five more holds in a row to start the second set, Djokovic caught fire one more time from 2-3, winning the last four games of the match to seal the victory after an hour and 14 minutes on court.

The former world No. 1 finished with more than twice as many winners as unforced errors, 26 to 12, including 12 aces to no double faults. He never faced a single break point in nine service games—he was only even pushed to deuce in one of those service games.

Hijikata, meanwhile, had 15 winners to 16 unforced errors on the day.

Awaiting the No. 1-seeded Djokovic in the second round in Brisbane will be Gael Monfils, who dispatched American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, in his first-round match.

And it’s been a historically tough match-up for Monfils, as Djokovic holds a 19-0 record against the Frenchman at tour-level, which includes 16-0 on hard courts, 2-0 on clay and 1-0 on grass.

Monfils did win their only meeting below tour-level before all of those tour-level losses, at a Futures event in Italy in 2004 on clay.

The two will meet again in Brisbane on Thursday.