Overview
- Djokovic defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4 in a Melbourne exhibition that lasted one hour and 22 minutes in his lone competitive tune-up before the tournament.
- A planned hit with Daniil Medvedev on Rod Laver Arena ended after about 12 minutes as physio Miljan Amanovic treated Djokovic’s neck courtside.
- Yahoo Sports reported that he pulled out of the Medvedev session over a wrist concern, leaving uncertainty about his exact condition.
- The Australian Open draw placed Djokovic against Spain’s Pedro Martinez in round one, a first career meeting with the world No. 71 and recent Bengaluru Challenger finalist.
- He has not won a major since the 2023 US Open and has not reached another Grand Slam final since, heightening scrutiny of his form entering Melbourne.