Novak Djokovic continued his remarkable dominance over Gaël Monfils, recording his 20th consecutive victory against the Frenchman during the second round of the ATP 250 tournament held in Brisbane, Australia. Djokovic, demonstrating his exceptional prowess on the court, secured the win with scores of 6-3, 6-3.
This match, which took place on January 2, 2025, served not only as another chapter in Djokovic's storied rivalry with Monfils but also as part of the Serb's preparation for the upcoming Australian Open, which is set to begin on January 12. The 37-year-old Djokovic, who is currently ranked seventh globally, exhibited his formidable skills, swiftly overcoming Monfils, the 38-year-old veteran ranked 55th.
The match lasted just over one hour, where Djokovic broke Monfils’ serve early in both sets, capitalizing on his only break point of the first set and executing another break to solidify his lead. "Djokovic was clinical and focused throughout the match,” said one observer, noting how Monfils struggled to convert his opportunities, managing only one break point during the match, which he failed to convert.
Historically, the rivalry has heavily favored Djokovic, with the two first meeting over two decades ago at the US Open in 2005, when Djokovic triumphed after five grueling sets. Since then, Monfils has been unable to secure any victories against Djokovic on the ATP tour—a statistic highlighting one of the most lopsided head-to-head records within professional tennis. Despite Monfils' impressive athleticism and appeal on the court, Djokovic has consistently proven himself to be the superior player.
The match was not without its light moments. Djokovic celebrated this monumental win with playful mimicry of musicians, honoring the request of his children to perform like violinists and saxophonists, bringing joviality to the occasion even as the match underscored the stark realities of their competitive history.
Djokovic's victory not only signifies personal achievement but extends his impressive streak against French players to 27 matches without a loss, dating back to his last defeat to Benoit Paire at the Miami Open in 2018. Looking forward, Djokovic is set to meet American Reilly Opelka, who has shown considerable form, for the next round of the tournament.
Reflecting on Monfils' career, Djokovic highlighted the Frenchman’s exceptional skills and contributions to tennis. Following the match, Djokovic stated, "Gaël is one of the best athletes I've seen over the years. His agility, flexibility, and speed are remarkable. It’s always great to compete against him, and he brings such charisma and excitement to the sport.” This moment captured the respect and camaraderie between the two players, even amid fierce competition.
With Djokovic's victory now behind him, the spotlight turns to his next match, poised to culminate in yet another thrilling showdown as he seeks to build momentum heading toward one of tennis's most prestigious events, the Australian Open.