Brisbane International 2025 draw preview: Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe locked in same half, Grigor Dimitrov paired with Holger Rune
Novak Djokovic's pursuit for a 100th ATP career singles title will begin against an Australian Rinky Hijikata.
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Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe (via X)
The 2025 ATP season is officially starting with the Brisbane International, allowing players to prepare for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open. The draw for this tournament was made public on Saturday, December 28, and fans can expect high-quality tennis in the coming weeks.
Reigning champion Grigor Dimitrov is the second seed at this year’s championship. The Bulgarian defeated Holger Rune in last year’s final to win the title. It was the ninth ATP Tour title of his career and his first in six years.
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic returns to Brisbane for the first time in five years. The Serb had a below-par 2024 season despite winning the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics, dropping to seventh in the ATP rankings. He will be bidding to win his 100th ATP singles career title in Brisbane.
Tournament Details
- Tournament: Brisbane International
- Date: December 29, 2024- January 5, 2025
- No. of Entrants: 32 (Singles)
- Venue: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane
- Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
- Defending Champion: Grigor Dimitrov
Top Seeds
Novak Djokovic
Grigor Dimitrov
Holger Rune
Frances Tiafoe
Sebastian Korda
Alejandro Tabilo
Alexei Popyrin
Brisbane International Draw Preview
Top half: Novak Djokovic eyes 100th ATP career title
The top half of the draw at the Brisbane International 2025 is headlined by none other than Novak Djokovic. The Serb won’t have an easy start, as he will begin his campaign against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata. However, he could face some exciting challenges in the following rounds.
First, he could meet French veteran Gael Monfils in the Round of 16. Monfils continues his incredible career into 2025 but will face a tough test against the Serb. In the quarterfinals, Djokovic could face Alexei Popyrin in a rematch of their US Open third round, where Popyrin upset the reigning champion.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the top half, Frances Tiafoe could clash with the returning Nick Kyrgios in the Round of 16. Kyrgios will play his first tournament in over a year after spending 2024 away from the tour and working as a commentator for multiple tournaments.
The winner of this match could go on to face Next Gen superstar Jakub Mensik or fifth seed Sebastian Korda in the quarterfinals. Mensik recently competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, though the tournament proved to be a disappointment for him.
Seeded players in the top half: (1) Novak Djokovic, (4) Frances Tiafoe, (5) Sebestian Korda, (7) Alexei Popyrin
Possible semifinal: Novak Djokovic beats Frances Tiafoe in two sets.
Bottom half: Grigor Dimitrov in the same half as Holger Rune
Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov will begin his title defense against a qualifier in the Round of 32. He could meet the rejuvenated David Goffin in the Round of 16, a rematch of the 2017 ATP Finals, where the Bulgarian claimed the biggest title of his career to date.
The winner of the Dimitrov-Goffin clash could face either eighth seed Jordan Thompson or Matteo Berrettini. Berrettini has also found renewed form after leading Italy to their third Davis Cup title in November.
On the other side of the draw, Holger Rune will begin his quest to go one step further than last year’s finish by playing Jiri Lehecka in the opening round. The Danish player could face Arthur Rinderknech in the Round of 16.
Sixth seed Alejandro Tabilo will look to build on his breakthrough 2024 season at the Brisbane International as he opens his campaign against a qualifier. The South American could face either Mariano Navone or Nicolas Jarry in the Round of 16.
Seeded players in the bottom half: (2) Grigor Dimitrov, (3) Holger Rune, (6) Alejandro Tabilo, (8) Jordan Thompson
Possible semifinal: Holger Rune beats Grigor Dimitrov in three sets.
Final predictions for the Brisbane International
Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune are no strangers to competing against each other on the biggest stages. The Serb holds a 4-2 head-to-head record against the Danish player, with their most recent meeting taking place at Wimbledon this year, where Djokovic won in straight sets.
Rune has defeated Djokovic in an ATP final before, at the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters. However, a fully relaxed and energized Djokovic would likely be too much for him. Therefore, it is expected that the 37-year-old will topple the young Dane once again and secure his 100th ATP singles title.
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Fahad Hamid
(593 Articles Published)