Novak Djokovic and his new coach Andy Murray will start his preparations for subsequent month’s Australian Open by taking part in on the Brisbane Worldwide the place Nick Kyrgios will make his return to the court docket.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who’s in search of an eleventh Melbourne Park crown, employed two-time Wimbledon champion Murray to educate him into and thru the opening main of 2025.
“He knows my game and everything that I have been through very well,” mentioned Djokovic in Spanish in a press convention earlier than a farewell match for Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires. “He knows the things that are wrong with my game, all of my mistakes.”
Djokovic has been with out a full-time coach since splitting in March from Goran Ivanisevic.
“We played against each other in the biggest stages of our sport, but in the end our friendship was bigger than the rivalry,” added Djokovic.
Djokovic will compete alongside defending Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov on the ATP 250 occasion, which begins on December 29 – stay on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
Dane Holger Rune and American Frances Tiafoe are amongst these additionally participating, whereas Kyrgios will make his return to the court docket having solely managed one match within the final two years due to repeat accidents.
The ladies’s occasion is equally as spectacular with 4 top-10 gamers together with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro and Daria Kasatkina concerned.
Victoria Azarenka may even function, rounding out 11 top-20 gamers on the ladies’s facet.
Raducanu to start in Auckland
Britain’s Emma Raducanu will begin her season in Auckland, New Zealand alongside Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff with the match set to start on December 30 – stay on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
Raducanu suffered an ankle damage in mid-October however she made a profitable return to motion on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga the place she went unbeaten in serving to Nice Britain attain the semi-finals.
Alcaraz provides extra coach
4-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has employed Samuel Lopez to work alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Lopez was a member of Spain’s Olympic staff in 2000 and 2012 and Alcaraz, 21, believes the duo may help push him again to the highest of the rankings.
“I think Samuel, for me, is one of the best coaches that we have on tour,” Alcaraz mentioned. “They trust each other 100 per cent and being able to travel with both, for me, it’s going to be great. I think I’m going to grow as a player thanks to them.
“I feel we’re going to work fairly exhausting and fairly good for the following season and the following years. Hopefully we’re going to make good outcomes collectively.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- United Cup featuring Great Britain – December 27, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Brisbane International (ATP 250) – December 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- ASB Classic, Auckland (WTA 250) – December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this 12 months at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.