Novak Djokovic tells the truth about how he prepares to beat opponents even before stepping on the court

Novak Djokovic revealed how he prepares to beat his opponents before the match starts during a press conference at the 2025 Australian Open on Sunday, January 19. He advanced to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park by defeating Czechia's Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the fourth round on Sunday.

Following the result, the 24-time Grand Slam champion made his way down to the main interview room at Melbourne Park to address the media. During the press interaction, Sportskeeda asked him if he looked for any weaknesses in his opponent during the customary pre-match practice session.

"Well, I mean, not so much," the Serb replied. "I mean, obviously the warm-up is quite short. It's a few minutes here and there, few shots from back of the court, volleys, serve, that's it. You start the match, I would say you get a sense of how your opponent is feeling already before the match, before you enter the court, in the gym or locker room.

We can't run away from each other as we are sharing locker rooms and gym spaces, warm-up area. We do see each other, our respective teams. There's a battle already that starts before we step out on the court."

Djokovic needed two hours and 41 minutes, nine aces, 24 winners, and three break-point conversions to down Lehecka at the Australian Open.

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Novak Djokovic to face Carlos Alcaraz in 2025 Australian Open QFs

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics. (Getty)

Novak Djokovic is set to take on Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open. The two giants of tennis will clash on Monday, January 20. This will be the duo's first on-court meeting after the 2024 Paris Olympics final, where the Serb prevailed to complete a Career Golden Slam. He defeated Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to take a 4-3 lead in the head-to-head.

Thus far in Melbourne, the Spaniard has dropped only one set. He started his campaign against Kazakhstani Alexander Shevchenko, earning a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win. He then overcame Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round before Portugal's Nuno Borges took a set off him in the third but lost 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2. He then received a walkover against Britain's Jack Draper (7-5, 6-1).

On the other hand, Djokovic has two four-setters at the Australian Open so far. He opened with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory against young sensation Nishesh Basavareddy and downed Portugal's Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2. In the third round, the 37-year-old overcame Czech's Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 before eliminating Jiri Lehecka.