Novak Djokovic delivered a commanding performance in his sole competitive outing before the Australian Open, defeating American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4 in just over 80 minutes. The Serbian legend, who is pursuing a historic 11th title at Melbourne Park and a record 25th Grand Slam crown, appeared in fine fettle with no visible signs of the wrist issue that prompted his withdrawal from the Adelaide International earlier this month.
Dominant Display and a Sarcastic Retort
The 38-year-old struck 22 winners and committed 17 unforced errors, covering the court with his characteristic speed and precision. However, the match's concluding moment was punctuated by an awkward interruption. As Djokovic prepared to serve for the match, a spectator loudly shouted, "Let's go Roger!"—a clear reference to his great rival, Roger Federer.
Djokovic halted his service motion, responded with a sarcastic laugh, and then calmly proceeded. The incident drew a mixed reaction from the Rod Laver Arena crowd, with another voice audibly adding "I agree" before the point commenced. The distraction proved immaterial, as Djokovic sealed victory immediately after a Tiafoe error.
A Turbulent History with Australian Crowds
This episode continues a long-running and complex narrative between Djokovic and sections of the Australian public. The relationship has been profoundly shaped by several high-profile controversies over recent years.
His most significant clash occurred in January 2022, when he was detained and ultimately deported from the country on public health grounds due to his Covid-19 vaccination status. This visa cancellation, following a protracted legal battle, caused him to miss the Australian Open despite being the defending champion. The saga sparked global debate over health policy, fairness, and athletes' rights.
Earlier, in 2020, Djokovic faced criticism for breaching Covid protocols during exhibition events. His outspoken views on vaccination have consistently attracted scrutiny from Australian media and officials. Upon his return in 2023 after receiving a visa waiver, lingering tensions were evident, with boos and heckling periodically following him during matches.
Defying Age and Chasing History
Despite the off-court noise, Djokovic's on-court dominance in Melbourne remains unquestionable, having already secured a record 10 Australian Open titles. He enters this year's tournament having not played a tour-level match since winning the Athens ATP event in early November, but showed little rust against Tiafoe.
The veteran superstar is now focused on separating any external disputes from his performance as he aims to solidify his status as the greatest male player ever. He faces stiff competition from younger rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, but the Australian Open and Wimbledon are widely considered his best chances for adding to his Grand Slam tally.
"I'm trying to remind myself to not take any moment on the court for granted," Djokovic reflected after his win. "We are all battling ourselves first and then our opponent obviously on the court, but I'm just trying to remind myself of the joy I still have and a blessing to be able to play at this level at this age."
