Djokovic on Rybakina and Ivanisevic: "I hope they can lift big trophies together".
Novak Djokovic has made a successful comeback. Determined to win a Grand Slam title again this season, the Serb kicked off his year on Tuesday with a first-round victory over Rinky Hijikata (ranked 73rd in the world and invited by the organizers) at the ATP 250 Brisbane tournament. Djokovic controlled the proceedings with authority, winning in just over an hour (6-3, 6-3).
Satisfied with his performance, Djokovic, who will meet Gaël Monfils in the second round, was happy to answer questions from journalists at the press conference. Asked about the new collaboration between Elena Rybakina and her former coach Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic was enthusiastic and happy: "When Goran worked with me, we always enjoyed watching her play. So I was happy to hear that they were together.
I hope Goran can make a positive contribution to her game and her success. She's a top player. She's already won a Grand Slam and she knows how it feels.
You know, I'm sure she's hungry for more and seems very motivated. She's started the season, I've seen, with some good wins. So I wish them all the best. I sent Goran a message the other day. I don't think he's ever worked on the WTA Tour.
He was mostly on the ATP Tour. So I asked him how he felt, and it's a bit different for him, but he's delighted to help her, and I hope they can lift some big trophies together."
