The Serbian and world no.1 Novak Djokovic survived a challenge to overcome the 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, winning in four hours to reach the second round in Melbourne for the 17th time in 19 appearances.

The 2024 Australian Open singles draw took place on Thursday. Novak, a record-extending ten-time AO champion, is a top seed. He will open the campaign against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic (ATP no.178).

Alex De Minaur defeated the World no.1 6-4, 6-4 to give the host nation a 1-0 lead in their quarter-final tie against Serbia at the mixed teams event. Novak was broken once in each set, suffering his first defeat on Australian soil after six years and 43 consecutive wins.

Marketa Vondrousova earned a close win for the Czech Republic in the opening match of the day, when she beat Olga Danilovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Novak then outplayed Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-7, 6-1 to even the tie. In the deciding mixed doubles match, Olga teamed with Hamad Medjedovic. The Serbian duo defeated Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza 4-6, 7-5, 10-8 to send their Team through to the United Cup quarterfinals.

In his first official match of the 2024 ATP season, Novak eased past Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 to give Serbia a 1-0 lead in Group E clash with China in Perth. In the second match, Qinwen Zheng defeated Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2. Nole and Olga won a deciding mixed doubles rubber 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 to keep Serbia in contention for quarter-finals.

Thanks to a remarkable 2023 season in which he won seven singles titles, including three Major trophies, Novak was elected as AIPS Champion of the Year and honored with the European Sportsperson of the Year award for the fifth time. Djokovic was also named L'Equipe's Men's Champion of Champions for the second time.

Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to beat Novak in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. To kick off the new season, the two best players in the world faced off in the Saudi desert for the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup.

Novak has been named the 2023 ITF Men’s World Champion! The World Champions are based on an objective system that considers all results during the year, giving special weight to the Grand Slam tournaments and Davis Cup.

Novak enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, winning seven titles – including three Grand Slam trophies, two ATP Masters 1000 crowns, an ATP 250 tournament, and the Nitto ATP Finals. He was also a finalist at Wimbledon.

Kecmanovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1. Novak then suffered a 2-6, 6-2, 5-7 loss to Jannik Sinner in a pulsating battle. Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego brought the crucial third point to their team for a place in the Davis Cup Final where they will meet Australia.