Novak Djokovic's projected path to Australian Open 2025 final

Novak Djokovic will be looking for the 25th career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open 2025.

The Australian Open 2025 draws, unveiled on January 9, provided the top seeds with a clearer understanding of their potential opponents at each stage, further fueling excitement in the lead-up to the marquee event. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic will set foot at a venue wherein he has enjoyed tremendous success.

The Serbian is undoubtedly the greatest ever to have played at the Rod Laver Arena, and he might be out there for one last time. As the record holder of 10 Australian Open titles, Djokovic will look for one final hurrah to end on a high. A triumph at the Australian Open 2025 will give him his 100th career title and 25th career Grand Slam, which would be a fairytale ending to an illustrious career.

Also Read: List of records Novak Djokovic can break at Australian Open 2025

However, poor form and lack of adequate game time could hurt the 36-year-old. Entering the competition as the 7th seed, Djokovic would have known that his path to the finale would not be an easy one. The Serbian will already have to compete against the best players in the tournament, making his path to fame challenging.

On that note, let’s take a look at Novak Djokovic’s projected path to glory.

Novak Djokovic’s projected path to the final:

Round 1: Nishesh Basavareddy

Novak Djokovic is set to kick off his campaign against rising young talent Nishesh Basavareddy. The 19-year-old has been in impressive form, advancing to the semifinals of the ongoing ASB Classic in Auckland, where he also knocked out defending champion Alejandro Tabilo. Despite that, a player of Djokovic’s caliber is expected to get off the blocks rather comfortably.

Round 2: Pavel Kotov or Qualifier

Djokovic is likely to have a relatively easy match in the second round. Pavel Kotov has yet to progress beyond the second round at the AO and has only 36 wins on the ATP Tour in his career. If the Russian loses, the Serbian may also have to face a qualifier in this round. Either way, the 10-time Australian Open winner is expected to sail through this round.

Also Read: Australian Open 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

Round 3: Reilly Opelka or Tomas Machac

Round three is when Djokovic could start to feel the heat as the intensity of the competition will intensify. The Serbian could cross paths with Reilly Opelka once again. Only a week back, the American had beaten the 36-year-old at the Brisbane International.

Defeating Djokovic twice in two weeks would be nothing short of an achievement for Opelka, however, given the Serb’s fabulous record Down-Under, he is expected to get the better of the American this time. On the other hand, he could face Tomas Machac, who recently represented Czech at the United Cup.

However, Machac is clouded by injury concerns, having forfeited the match midway in his last tournament. Although it is unlikely, if Indian star Sumit Nagal manages to win his first two rounds then he can go into direct competition with Novak Djokovic.

Also Read: Top five title favourites in men’s singles at Australian Open 2025

Round 4: Grigor Dimitrov or Jiri Lehecka

Djokovic is likely to encounter Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. The Serb leads the Bulgarian 12-1 in the head-to-head and will prefer to play him given his domination against Dimitrov over the years. The Bulgarian is also dealing with an injury and recently abandoned his title defense in Brisbane following a mid-match retirement in the semifinals.

Jiri Lehecka benefited from retirement as he was eventually crowned the winner of the Brisbane International event, defeating Opelka in the final. The Serbian and the Czech have contested only once before, with Djokovic winning the clash at the 2023 United Cup in three sets.

Quarter-final: Carlos Alcaraz or Jack Draper

For the first time, a potential Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz contest could take place before the semi-final or final of a Grand Slam tournament. It will be a tough ask for Djokovic to face Alcaraz so early in the competition. The Serbian though had taken down Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics and will have to repeat his heroics if he were to remain alive in his quest for a 25th Grand Slam trophy.

Jack Draper emerges as the other candidate who could face Djokovic in the QF. Though the British finished as the semi-finalist at the US Open 2022, Draper has skipped several matches in the build-up to the event, and should the match go into a five-setter, Draper’s fitness will certainly be tested. All said and done, the 36-year-old would certainly prefer facing the British ahead of the Spaniard.

Semi-final: Alexander Zverev

Second seed Alexander Zverev could potentially advance to his second consecutive Australian Open semi-final. If Djokovic gets past Alcaraz/ Draper, Zverev could potentially stand between the Serbian and a 100th career title. One must believe that Djokovic is at his absolute best if he manages to beat Alcaraz so early in the competition.

Moreover, the German is undergoing fitness issues and was ruled out of the United Cup. Zverev is yet to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam, giving the 10-time AO winner a clear edge.

Final: Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev

Novak Djokovic will be desperate to walk out at the Rod Laver Arena and complete his quest of winning the 25th GS and 100th career title on January 26, 2025. However, Jannik Sinner could potentially be the final obstacle as was the case last year when the Italian beat Djokovic in the semis.

Sinner is in the form of his life and is currently the top seed. The defending champion could be the favorite in the build-up to this mouth-watering clash but Djokovic would be determined to force a result in his favor.

In a massive surprise, 2024 runner-up Daniil Medvedev could stun everyone and advance to the finals too. Known for upping the ante at crucial stages, the Russian can defeat anybody on his day despite a poor 2024. Djokovic leads Medvedev 10-5 on head-to-head and beat the Russian four years ago at this very venue to win the championship.

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