5 biggest threats to Novak Djokovic in comeback tournament at Brisbane International 2025 ft. Holger Rune, Sebastian Korda

In a departure from his usual calendar, Novak Djokovic will open his 2025 season at the Brisbane International. It will mark the first time in years that the Serb will play a warm-up tournament in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

The Serb’s entry has added extra star power to the already packed line-up, led by defending champion Grigor Dimitrov.

Djokovic will, however, face stiff competition from the Bulgarian and his ilk. With the line-up now clear, we look at five biggest threats that could derail the Serb’s campaign:

---

#1 Grigor Dimitrov

Grigor Dimitrov with the 2024 Brisbane International trophy. (Source: Getty)

Grigor Dimitrov shares a long, well-chronicled, one-sided, rivalry with Novak Djokovic. The two played out their first encounter against each other way back in 2012.

While the Serb holds a mammoth 12-1 lead over his opponent in the head-to-head, two of the duo’s three latest meetings (all of which came in 2023) were fiercely contested.

It helps that Dimitrov enjoys playing Down Under, having lifted the Brisbane International title twice. He is in fact, the defending champion at the tournament, having beaten Holger Rune in the summit clash.

There is little doubt that he will be among the favorites to win the title once again.

---

#2 Holger Rune

Holger Rune was beaten at the 2024 Brisbane International finals. (Source: Getty)

This year’s beaten finalist, Holger Rune, will also come into the tournament with a feeling of unfinished business.

The Dane, in fact, has been among the new crop of players who have given Novak Djokovic a lot of trouble in recent years. He led the Serb in the head-to-head tally 2-1, until as recently as last year when Djokovic pulled back with three consecutive wins. The latter now leads 4-2.

That said, Djokovic needed three tight sets to get over the line in both of the duo’s latest hardcourt meetings. If they were to meet at the Brisbane International, fans would definitely be in for another thriller.

---

#3 Sebastian Korda

Sebastian Korda pushed Novak Djokovic to three sets at the 2023 Adelaide International. (Source: Getty)

Sebastian Korda knows what it is like to have Novak Djokovic on the ropes Down Under. The American led his more fancied opponent by a set at Adelaide in 2023, before surrendering in three sets.

That remains the only meeting between the two players, but it gave plenty of insight into the youngster’s talents.

Korda is a dynamic player who likes to hit big groundstrokes as much as he does approaching the net to score points quickly. He has posted big wins on hardcourts, having lifted his biggest title on the surface at this year’s Washington Open.

With his injury struggles hopefully behind him, the 2025 season might as well bring the big breakthrough that he has been looking for.

---

#4 Jiri Lehecka

Jiri Lehecka put up a good fight against Novak Djokovic at the 2024 United Cup. (Source: Getty)

Quick hardcourts have become a bit of a specialty for Jiri Lehecka. The big-serving Czech has made it to three finals on the surface in a two-year-and-a-half span, having also lifted a title at Adelaide.

And that’s without mentioning his four (out of a total of five) top 10 wins on the surface. He also enjoys the big stage and will in all likelihood savor the opportunity of playing Novak Djokovic.

The two did square off Down Under this year at the United Cup and Lehecka gave a good account of himself. He overcame a slow start to take the second set in a tiebreaker, but Djokovic was far too strong in the third. A rematch with the Serb 12 months later could well reignite the memories and fuel his fire for revenge.

---

#5 Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios will make his comeback at the Brisbane International. (Source: Getty)

The last name on the list is a bit of a wildcard, but that is pretty much how Nick Kyrgios has played throughout his career.

Sidelined from the sport for the better part of the last two years now, the Aussie has announced his comeback at the Brisbane International. That’s not good news for Novak Djokovic as Kyrgios is among the select few players against whom he holds a negative win-loss record (1-2).

While there is bound to be some rust when Kyrgios returns to court, the home crowd will definitely help lift his spirits. And if there is one player who you can on for springing a surprise or two, it has to be the Aussie.