MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic’s initial match coached by former rival Andy Murray had a rocky start, particularly against 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, who was making his Grand Slam debut at the 2025 Australian Open. Despite losing the first set to the American player, who recently transitioned from Stanford University to professional tennis, Djokovic rallied to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory. This win marks the beginning of Djokovic’s quest for an 11th title at Melbourne Park and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title overall.
Djokovic expressed excitement about having Murray in his corner, mentioning, “I’m obviously thrilled to have him in my corner. I must say, it was a little bit of a strange experience to have him at courtside in my box. We played for over 20 years against each other at the highest level. Great to have him on the same side of the net. He gave me some great advice mid-match.” Before the match, the two exchanged thoughts in the gym, concluding with a fist bump just before Djokovic began his warm-up on the treadmill.
During the match, interactions between the two were limited, aside from a longer discussion before the fourth set. Given their long history since both were 12 years old and their numerous encounters, including Slam finals, it was a distinctive dynamic for both. Murray had announced his retirement following the Paris Olympics in August, and Djokovic reached out about collaborating in November.
Known for his dramatic antics during his playing days, Murray’s coaching style is slightly reflected in Djokovic, who also displays passionate reactions during matches. This was evident when he scored a pivotal break at around the 1.5-hour mark, letting out a yell and celebrating after noticing Basavareddy’s return go wide. This moment shifted momentum, as Basavareddy appeared to struggle physically, eventually needing a medical timeout before the third set.
Day 2 of the tournament was bustling, with nine players holding 43 major titles, alongside others who were previous finalists. Successful competitors included No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Notably, Naomi Osaka won her match against Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, marking a return to form after her earlier triumphs in Australia.
However, the tournament saw notable early exits, including two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka and 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko. Ostapenko’s defeat came against Belinda Bencic, who is making her comeback following maternity leave and is currently ranked outside of the top 400.
Nick Kyrgios, also expected to make an impact, faced a first-round loss by Jacob Fearnley. The Scottish player acknowledged Kyrgios’s struggles with injuries, stating, “Sorry for Nick. I could tell he was dealing with some stuff.” Kyrgios’s singular match over the previous two seasons due to injury management hindered his performance against Fearnley, and he lost in straight sets.
As the match progressed, Basavareddy began to feel the strain against Djokovic’s relentless intensity. Djokovic’s backhand speed increased in the second set, and he dominated with 23 aces, while Basavareddy seemed to falter under the pressure. Early in the match, Basavareddy impressively broke Djokovic’s serve, demonstrating remarkable skill with drop shots and lobs, yet ultimately, he couldn’t maintain that initial momentum.
Recognizing Basavareddy’s talent, Djokovic remarked, “He did very pleasantly surprise me with all of his shots and his fighting spirit toward the end.” The two players are currently ranked significantly differently, with Djokovic maintaining a far higher position based on years of experience and accomplishments.
Following this match, Basavareddy holds a 0-1 record in Grand Slams, while Djokovic celebrated his 378th major victory, extending his record. He has not faced a first-round exit since his early career days at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2006. Djokovic concluded by praising Basavareddy’s composure during the match, asserting, “I’m sure we’ll see a lot of him in the future.”
