Tennis

Novak Djokovic extends Monfils misery with record 20th win over Frenchman

Win prolongs sport’s most dominant head-to-head record

Novak Djokovic of Serbia pretends to play the violin after winning his men's singles match against Gael Monfils. Photograph: William West/Getty
Novak Djokovic of Serbia pretends to play the violin after winning his men's singles match against Gael Monfils. Photograph: William West/Getty
Tumaini Carayol in Brisbane
Thu Jan 02 2025 - 15:37

Novak Djokovic extended the most dominant head-to-head record in the history of tennis by defeating Gaël Monfils 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Thursday night.

The victory marks Djokovic’s 20th career victory over Monfils, who is still searching for his first win over the Serbian after competing against each other on the professional circuit for 20 years. Rafael Nadal’s 18-0 record over Richard Gasquet is the second most lopsided record in the sport. “[Monfils’] game suits me well,” said Djokovic, smiling. “To some extent the more you win against someone, the happier you are to play him.”

Despite the painful head-to-head record, Monfils has had his opportunities to register a victory over Djokovic. In their very first meeting, a dramatic first round match at the 2005 US Open filled with cramps and momentum swings, Djokovic barely held on to defeat Monfils 7-5 in the fifth set. He has also won two final set tie-breaks against Monfils and he survived from triple match point down in their 2020 Dubai Open semi-final. Somehow, Djokovic has always found a way through.

“We had some really tough battles,” said Djokovic. “He had a couple of matches where he was one point away. I think in Dubai a few years ago he had a couple match points and should have won that match. It just happens. When you are on a bad roll, it is also affecting you mentally.

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“But I think he deserves a great credit for playing still at such a high level at his age. He’s so athletic, super guy. Super nice guy that is loved by millions of people – with a reason. He’s a great entertainer, great charisma. The best dancer we have on the tour, that’s for sure. He’s been around. He’s been a top-10 player. Played a lot of late stages of Grand Slams. He loves the big stage, the big stadiums.”

Of the 256 tennis players present in the 2005 Australian Open men’s and women’s singles draws two decades ago, only Djokovic and Monfils remain. While Djokovic’s longevity is unprecedented, and he continues to compete for and win significant titles at 37, that Monfils has re-established himself around the top 50 at 38 years old is a significant achievement in itself.

“It was a special match in a way, playing a 37-year-old versus a 38-year-old on the tour in the first tournament of God knows what season of ours that we have in our career,” said Djokovic. “I enjoyed it. I think it was a good quality match. I think he had just couple of loose games first, second set that allowed me to break his serve. It was I think tighter than maybe the score indicates.”

As he tries to rebuild his form and compete for an 11th Australian Open title alongside his new coach, Andy Murray, Djokovic will next face Reilly Opelka of the United States.

On Thursday night, Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, continued her solid start to the year by defeating Yulia Putintseva to advance to the quarter-finals in Brisbane with a tough 7-6 (2), 6-4 win. She will next face Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic. – Guardian