Novak Djokovic's dominance over Gael Monfils continues as he extends his head-to-head record to 20-0, securing a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory in the second round of the Brisbane International.
The match, held at the Pat Rafter Arena, saw Djokovic maintain his mastery over the Frenchman in a contest that lasted just 72 minutes.
Despite his unblemished record against Monfils, Djokovic has the utmost respect for the French player. Reflecting on their long-standing rivalry, Djokovic shared, “We have been playing for many years.
I have known Gael since I was 15. He is one of the best, if not the best, athlete in our sport over the years. Incredible flexibility, agility, and speed. He’s such a great player to watch and a great character, attracting fans worldwide.”
The two first met at the 2005 US Open, where Djokovic secured his first victory over Monfils. Almost two decades later, Djokovic continues to dominate their encounters, with his latest win adding to his incredible legacy.
Looking ahead to his future, Djokovic is on the brink of history. He is aiming to become only the third male player to win 100 tour-level titles, following in the footsteps of tennis legends Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
As he continues to pursue this milestone, Djokovic's consistent form is evident in Brisbane, where he opened his campaign with a comfortable win over Rinky Hijikata and followed it up with another assured performance against Monfils.
Djokovic broke Monfils three times in the match, preventing his opponent from gaining any rhythm or momentum.
This victory also extended Djokovic’s winning streak against French players to an impressive 27 matches, with his last loss to a Frenchman coming in 2018 against Benoit Paire in Miami. The Serbian star's consistent dominance over players from France adds another layer to his remarkable career.
Adding a personal touch to his trip to Brisbane, Djokovic shared that his children, Stefan and Tara, have accompanied him to Australia for the first time. Their presence has made his time in Brisbane even more special.
Djokovic revealed that his children had playful suggestions for how he should celebrate his victories. “My daughter told me to keep going with the violin if I win. My son told me to play the saxophone, so I try to incorporate both. Having them here is special – it fills my heart and helps me play my best tennis,” he said.
In terms of his game, Djokovic is fine-tuning his form with the Australian Open looming on the horizon. Now coached by Andy Murray, Djokovic is preparing for his bid to win an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title and his 25th Grand Slam.
While Murray is currently skiing with his family, he will join Djokovic in Melbourne next week to finalise their preparations for the season's first major tournament.
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