Djokovic hails serving as he searches for tiny improvements

Novak Djokovic turns 38 in May but the 24-time Grand Slam champion is still trying to find the1 percent difference to ensure he remains at or near the top of the sport in 2025.

The Serbian eased his way into the new season with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Rinky Hijikata in Brisbane on Tuesday, before detailing how he is still tinkering with his game, in tandem with new coach, Andy Murray.

“I think serving helped a lot,” he said of his win over Hijikata, which included 12 aces. “My serving both in doubles (with Nick Kyrgios on Monday) and singles was terrific. Been working on it. Great to see that I’m able to get, every game, at least one or two free points. That helps a lot, you know, on a surface like this.”

“I’m not going to hit two first serves, coming to the net”

Djokovic spent a week with Murray before coming to Australia and the Scot, who retired at the Olympics last summer, will be in Melbourne as Djokovic tries to win the title for a record-extending 11th time, and claim a record 25th Grand Slam title.

“I’m not looking to transform my game completely,” he said. “I mean, I’m not going to be Giovanni (Mpetshi Perricard), who hit 36 aces in beating Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday), serving two first serves and coming in to the net, but I definitely am looking to improve, even if it’s the slightest percentage, every single shot that I have in my game, and maybe something that people don’t necessarily see is this court positioning, the transition play, the tactics. Just focusing mostly on myself, really, how I can be better physically, game-wise, mentally, as well.

“And ready to compete, whatever it takes, however many hours it takes with the youngsters. And then, of course, you know, I think in the upcoming weeks, we will also, particularly the week before Australian Open, do a lot of video analysis of my main opponents, top guys, trying to understand how my game matches up against theirs and what I have done in the past well, what I can improve. So there is quite a bit of analytics in there, and I am that kind of person. I like to go into details.”

“I love talking to him about the nuances”

Djokovic said he had already learned a lot from his time with Murray.

“We shared a lot of information even before we met, and then together for those eight, nine days was really great, quality time on and off the court, getting to know each other I think on a different level we haven’t had a chance to have in the past 20 years,” Djokovic said.

“To have a legend of the game, someone that is known to be as an intelligent tennis player as there is out there, it’s a great honor, great pleasure for me.

“I love talking to him about the nuances, the details, how I can improve my game, how I can gain an inch, court positioning more comparing to my opponent, and every bit of percentage counts at the highest level.

“What I have been getting from him already is really positive. We haven’t spent too many days on the court together, so I look forward to having him in Melbourne.”