- Title: Fan favourite Djokovic faces fire from young guns at Australian Open
- Date: 11th January 2024
- Summary: THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (JANUARY 12, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VEHICLES ARRIVING AND ENTERING GATE OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICJ) VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING OUTSIDE EXTERIOR OF COURT PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE COURT WITH BANNERS BANNER READING (English) "JUSTICE DELAYED TOO LONG IS JUSTICE DENIED" POLICE WATCHING PROTESTERS BEHIND METAL BARRI
- Embargoed: 25th January 2024 09:01
- Keywords: Australian Open Grand Slam Melbourne Park Novak Djokovic Serbia fans practice training
- Location: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
- City: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
- Country: Australia
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Sport,Tennis
- Reuters ID: LVA001142811012024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Dozens of Serbian fans energetically danced and sang outside Rod Laver Arena before Novak Djokovic hosted a tennis charity event in Melbourne on Thursday (January 11).
The event, also featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas and Aryna Sabalenka, comes just days before the Australian Open kicks off on Sunday (January 14).
Djokovic is hunting for a record-extending 11th title and 25th Grand Slam crown overall, which carries an air of inevitability despite an early loss in 2024.
With an 89-8 record at the year's first Grand Slam, Djokovic will still be the firm favourite to claim a fifth title in six years and go past Australian Margaret Court's haul of 24 major singles trophies.
Djokovic, who missed the 2022 Australian Open due to being deported over his COVID vaccine stance, was hampered by a right wrist injury at the United Cup last week and saw his 43-match winning streak in Australia finally snapped by Alex de Minaur.
He claimed a third Grand Slam trophy late last season at the U.S. Open but not before being denied the Wimbledon title by the 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster five-set final, a result which was briefly heralded as the dawn of a new era. Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev will also pose challenges to Djokovic’s crown.
The 2024 tournament will run from Jan. 14-28.
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