Novak Djokovic Survives First Round Scare at Australian Open 2024
Melbourne, Australia
Novak Djokovic, the legendary Serbian tennis player, faced a formidable challenge in his first-round match at the 2024 Australian Open, narrowly defeating 18-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic in a grueling four-set battle.
Djokovic, a record-holder with 10 Australian Open titles, was pushed to his limits by the unheralded Prizmic, who displayed remarkable composure and skill throughout the match. The Croatian teenager, ranked 178th in the world, showcased an aggressive game plan, keeping Djokovic on the defensive and forcing him to work hard for every point.
The match lasted four hours and one minute, making it Djokovic’s longest-ever first-round encounter at a Grand Slam event. The Serbian star had previously won his last 48 Grand Slam first-round matches in less than three hours, highlighting the magnitude of Prizmic’s challenge.
Djokovic dropped the second set in a tiebreaker, marking only the second time in the last 17 years that he had lost a set in the first round of the Australian Open. Prizmic continued to push Djokovic in the third set, breaking his serve in a marathon 17-minute game to take a 3-2 lead.
However, Djokovic displayed his trademark resilience, winning the next eight games to secure the third and fourth sets and seal the victory. The Serbian veteran acknowledged Prizmic’s impressive performance, crediting the Croatian’s game plan and physicality for the challenge he faced.
Prizmic’s Moment in the Spotlight
Despite the defeat, Prizmic earned widespread praise for his performance, showcasing his potential as a rising star in the tennis world. He came close to becoming the first player to win two sets against Djokovic in the first round of a major since 2010, a testament to his talent and determination.
Djokovic’s Road Ahead
With the first-round hurdle cleared, Djokovic will now face either Australian Alexei Popyrin or Marc Polmans in the second round. A potential third-round clash with five-time Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray looms large, followed by a possible fourth-round encounter with American Ben Shelton, who Djokovic defeated in the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open.
Other Notable Results
In other notable results from the opening day of the Australian Open, American Taylor Fritz, the highest-seeded American man, battled through five sets and received ankle treatment to advance to the second round. Amanda Anisimova, another American player, defeated No. 13 seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia in her first Grand Slam match since returning from a mental health break.
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, also progressed to the second round, benefiting from the retirement of No. 20 seed Magda Linette of Poland due to injury.
Anticipation Builds for Gauff and Osaka
The Australian Open continues on Monday (Sunday night in the U.S.) with U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka taking center stage. Osaka, who is playing her first Slam since returning from childbirth, will be eager to make a strong impression in Melbourne.
Djokovic’s Pursuit of History
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he seeks to make history by capturing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title. The Serbian superstar is tied with Australian legend Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in history, and a victory in Melbourne would give him sole possession of the record.