Brisbane International 2025: Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils
Date: January 2, 2025
Tournament: Brisbane International 2025
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, Australia
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize Money: $766,290
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils preview
Top seed Novak Djokovic will face Gael Monfils in the second round of the Brisbane International. The winner of this match will take on either Reilly Opelka or Matteo Arnaldi.
The Serb finished his 2024 season with 37 wins out of 46 matches, winning the elusive Olympic gold. He also reached the finals at the Wimbledon and the Shanghai Masters, which turned out to be his last tournament of the season.
Djokovic started his 2025 season at the Brisbane International and he faced Rinky Hijikata in the first round. The Serb put on a fine display to win 6-3, 6-3 and book his place in the second round of the ATP 250 event.
Gael Monfils won 25 out of 46 matches during the 2024 season, most notably reaching the semifinals in two ATP 250 tournaments in Doha and Mallorca. He finished his season after withdrawing from his second-round match at the Paris Masters.
The Frenchman started his 2025 season at the Brisbane International and faced American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round. Monfils did not have the easiest of matches but eventually fought hard to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 and reach the second round of the Brisbane International.
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils head-to-head
Djokovic currently leads 19-0 in the head-to-head against Monfils. Their last encounter came in the third round of the 2023 Cincinnati Open, with the Serb winning 6-3, 6-2.
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils odds
All odds sourced from BETMGM.
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils prediction
While the Serb will enter the match as the heavy favorite to win, Monfils is not the easiest of opponents to beat even though he may not be in his prime. That said, it will be very difficult for the 38-year-old to finally register his first win over the 37-year-old.
Djokovic produced a fine service performance in his previous match against Rinky Hijikata, serving 12 aces and winning 25 out of 31 points on his first serve. The Serb's game has often troubled the greatest of players and we all know the kind of tennis he is capable of producing in Australia. Having had a substantial break from the sport after his injury worries, the 37-year-old will look to impress in Brisbane.
Monfils has an effective serve that helped him fetch 18 aces in his previous fixture against Basavareddy. The Frenchman will look to make the most ouf of his service games while trying to fetch the all-decisive break. That said, he may not have as many aces as he did in his last match considering he will be up against probably the greatest returner of all-time.
With two entertainers competing, we could have an intriguing match to watch. However, Djokovic's quality and superior head-to-head record makes it hard to expect anything other than a victory for the Serb.
Pick: Djokovic to win in straight sets.