Novak Djokovic expects Nishesh Basavareddy to make a statement against him in Australian Open 1R

Novak Djokovic is pitted against 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy from the US in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open. Notably, this is the second straight year he will be facing a teenager in his Melbourne Major opener.

In his first match at Melbourne Park last year, Djokovic faced tough opposition in the form of Dino Prizmic, 18 years old then. Prizmic managed to take a set off him and threatened to win another in the fourth but the Serb eventually prevailed 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 to advance.

This year, he's gearing up for a showdown with Basavareddy, who finished as a semifinalist in the 2025 ASB Classic on Friday, January 10, losing 7-6(5), 6-4 in an intense battle against France's Gael Monfils.

Ahead of the clash, Djokovic answered a question about the young American while talking to Sportskeeda in the press room at the Australian Open.

"Well, to be honest, I don't know much about him," he said. "I watched him play yesterday actually for the first time. I think he's playing semifinals of New Zealand tournament now. I saw that he's very quick. He's very talented player. He's got great hands. He's very dynamic. He can serve well, hit spots. Just very complete game overall."

Since the American will be playing his first Grand Slam main draw match, the 24-time Major champion expects him to make a mark.

"Yeah, I mean, it's going to be his, I guess, first time in main draw of the Grand Slam, wild card, playing on the center court," he added. "Not much to lose. I'm sure that he is going to be really pumped to make a statement. I have to obviously approach that match very seriously, like any other, and do my best to get a win. Also in the process, enjoy the nice moment of sharing the court with him."

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Novak Djokovic's first tournament of 2025 ended with a loss to an American

Novak Djokovic (Getty)

Novak Djokovic began his 2025 season at the Brisbane International, where he played in the singles and doubles draws. In the doubles, he teamed up with home-favorite Nick Kyrgios and scored a win before losing to top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus in the second round.

In the singles, he entered the draw seeded first and began with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Rinky Hijikata. Following this, he overcame Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3—a 20th consecutive win against the Frenchman.

The Serb's run ended against an American in the form of Reilly Opelka, who defeated him 7-6(6), 6-3 in the quarterfinals. Opelka then defeated Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semifinals before retiring midway through the title clash against Jiri Lehecka.