Australian Open 2019: Novak Djokovic vs Mitchell Krueger: Where to watch & live stream details

Rod Laver and Novak Djokovic share a moment during an event at the Australian Open 2019 on Monday

Having last won the Australian Open in 2016, Novak Djokovic must be eager to lay hands on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for the seventh time when his campaign begins at Melbourne Park on Tuesday. A lot happened for the Serb in these couple of intervening years.

His persistent struggles with his right elbow pushed him out of the elite bracket and he dropped to No. 22 in the world rankings. Since his momentous French Open win in 2016 that helped him to complete the much-coveted Career Slam, Djokovic absolutely lost his way and remained Slamless for more than two years.

It was only at Wimbledon last year that he started showing glimpses of the supreme competitor he once was. Djokovic not only won his 13th and 14th Majors at Wimbledon and the US Open but even regained his World No. 1 ranking where he had reigned for the better part of the preceding six years.

With so much momentum, it won’t be surprising to see the numero uno player aiming for nothing less than a title triumph at the Slam where he had earned his greatest success.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion could not have asked for an easier opponent in the first round. World No. 230 Mitchell Krueger of the USA, a qualifier at this tournament, isn’t likely to pose serious challenge to the planet’s best player. With the two having never met before, it might be an onerous task for the American to prepare himself for Djokovic’s bludgeoning groundstrokes.

This outing would help the Serb to find his feet after an unexpected loss to eventual champion Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open in the run-up to the year’s first Major. A hassle-free victory is all the 31-year-old needs to get back the confidence that went missing after the Doha setback.