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Djokovic will start his 2025 season in Brisbane
The Serbian made his only previous appearance at the ATP 250 in 2009
December 03, 2024
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic playing in the 2024 Australian Open.
By ATP staff
Novak Djokovic is expected to return to action in the first week of the 2025 season at the Brisbane International presented by Evie.
The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and 99-time tour-level ranking will aim to start his season ranked in the tournament on the hard court for only the second time. Djokovic fell to Ernests Gulbis in his ATP 250 debut in Queensland in 2009.
Djokovic, whose only title in 2024 came at the Paris Olympics, will be chasing the 100th trophy of his career in Brisbane. The 37-year-old is trying to join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the only ATP stars to hit that milestone.
A record 10-time Australian Open champion, Djokovic has not competed since falling to Jannik Sinner in the Rolex Shanghai Masters on 13 October. Currently the World No. 7, the Serbian will lead a field that also includes fellow Top 10 star and 2023 Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov.
Last year's finalists Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe will also compete, while home favorite Nick Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to competitive action. It will be the 29-year-old Kyrgios' first ATP Tour appearance since June 2023 due to injury.
Defending Champion Rublev Leads Hong Kong Field
World No. 8 Andrey Rublev will defend his title at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open. Chinese stars Shang Juncheng and Buyunchaokete are also on the list for Hong Kong, where the home hopes will be led by Coleman Wong.
Hong Kong played a big part in Shang's 2024 climb up the PIF ATP Rankings: He reached his first ATP Tour semifinal at the event, before lifting his first tour title in Chengdu. The 19-year-old finished the year as World No. 50 and will compete in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah.
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