Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata Prediction ATP Brisbane Tennis Picks 12/31/24

Brisbane International Prediction: Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Betting Odds: Novak Djokovic -2000 / Rinky Hijikata+950 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: Tennis TV

Novak Djokovic and Rinky Hijikata meet in the first round of the 2025 Brisbane International on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Here’s our Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata prediction. This preview will also contain a Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata pick.

 

Novak Djokovic Preview

 

It’s been two decades since Novak Djokovic made his ATP debut, and as of 2025, will remain the lone member of the Big Four club.

All of his closest and biggest rivals including Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retired last season leaving him as the only active member of the famous quartet that also included Roger Federer.

Djokovic has since gone on to make the stunning union with Murray who was his junior rival too. The Scotsman will be in his camp after the Serbian confirmed him as his new coach in a shocking move.

Djokovic will be playing in Brisbane for only the second time in his career. He lost in the first round on debut back in 2009. Historically, he's had the most success competing Down Under, with a record 10 Australian Open titles, and lifting a non-Slam title there as recently as 2023 (Adelaide).

The former World No. 1 celebrated his first match of the season in doubles together with Nick Kyrgios which they won in a third-set 10-point tie-break.

 

Rinky Hijikata Preview

 

Rinky Hijikata is ranked 73rd in the ATP rankings, which is a reflection of improvement in the past two seasons, nailing down a spot in the Top 80.

Hijikata won 36 matches and lost 33 across all levels. The first half of last season was uneventful for Hijikata although he made three quarterfinals (two of those at ATP level).

But it was in the second half of the campaign when he shone, reaching the last eight of the ATP 500 at Queen's as a qualifier after scoring one of his best wins against Frances Tiafoe.

Hijikata finished the year quite strongly, with two finals on the Challenger Tour on Australian soil. He won the Playford Challenger at the end of October but lost the Sydney Challenger final to compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

This will be his second appearance in the Brisbane main draw. He reached the quarterfinals on debut last season.

 

Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata Head-To-Head

 

• Djokovic and Hijikata have never met at any level.

 

Novak Djokovic vs Rinky Hijikata Prediction

 

Djokovic has earned the right to pick and choose what tournaments to play in. While the general consensus is that Djokovic massively underperformed last year, it's clear that he achieved what he set to do by winning that elusive gold medal at the Olympics. He's said it himself, that motivation to compete for Grand Slams is what drives him at this stage of his career.

It is odd to see him turning up for an ATP 250, but the Australian Open is around the corner, and getting some minutes under his belt in a warm-up tournament is always a wise idea. And he hasn't played competitively since mid-October, and I can only imagine how he is itching to get on a singles court. That could give an in-form Hijikata room to swing for the fences here.

 

Nur’s Pick Novak Djokovic to win AND over 17.5 games

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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