Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer forged one of the most intense rivalries in tennis history. Two great opponents shared the court 50 times between 2006 and 2020, battling for notable trophies worldwide.
Djokovic and Federer are linked by many achievements. Also, we can get another connection between the two legends at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane in the first week of 2025! Nine years ago, Roger Federer scored his 1000th ATP victory in the Brisbane final versus Milos Raonic.
If Novak follows Roger’s footsteps and lift a trophy in Brisbane, he will become the third player in the Open era with 100 ATP titles. Djokovic looks forward to add his name to the exclusive list alongside Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, seeking a notable milestone at 37.
Roger Federer earned his first ATP win at 17, having beaten Guillaume Raoux in the first round in Toulouse. The Swiss had been among the players to beat for nearly 15 years before adding the elusive 1000th ATP win to his tally in the 2015 Brisbane International final.
Federer faced Milos Raonic in the title clash and prevailed 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes. The Swiss fired 21 aces and defended five of six break points. He lost the second set before bouncing back in the decider, lifting a trophy and celebrating a milestone.
Raonic served at 54% and played against seven break points, losing serve three times and finishing runner-up. Roger tamed his strokes nicely and stayed on ten unforced errors. The veteran drew 50 forced mistakes from his opponent, keeping the pressure on the other side.
The Canadian claimed six points more in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges. The Swiss responded in the shortest rallies, hitting more unreturned serves than his opponent and moving over the top with a single break in a thrilling decider.
Milos held at 30 in the first game of the clash with a service winner. He faced issues in the third game, netting a backhand and losing serve. Roger fired four winners in the fourth game, cementing the advantage and moving 3-1 in front.
Federer served well in the sixth and eighth games, imposing his strokes and pressuring his opponent. Raonic served to stay in the set in game nine and closed it with a service winner to prolong the action. Roger landed a forehand winner at 30-30 in the ninth game.
He closed it with a booming serve, forging a 6-4 lead after 31 minutes. Milos played a loose service game at the beginning of the second set. He hit a double fault in the first game, losing serve and sending Roger a set and a break in front.
The Swiss cemented the lead with an ace in game two but struggled behind the initial shot at 1-2. He missed a backhand, losing serve for the only time and bringing his opponent back to the positive side. They served well in the upcoming games.
Federer secured the tenth game with four service winners and extended the battle. Raonic mirrored that in the 11th game, and the veteran produced another fine hold in the 12th game to introduce a tie break.
The Swiss grabbed an early mini-break with a forehand down the line winner in the first game. Milos pulled the mini-break back in the third point and welcomed Roger’s forehand error in the sixth point for a 4-2 advantage.
The Canadian landed a return winner in the seventh point for 5-2 and landed a powerful serve at 6-2, rattling off seven points and forcing a decider after an hour and 15 minutes. They created only three break points in the first two sets and generated ten in the decider!
Federer could have experienced an early setback after playing against three break points in the first game. He denied them with powerful serves and held. Raonic closed the second game after two deuces for 1-1. Milos struggled behind the initial shot in the fourth game.
He denied them with powerful serves and held after drawing Roger’s mistake. The Swiss played against two break points in the fifth game. He landed unreturned serves and held for a 3-2 lead. The Canadian faced more issues behind the initial shot in the sixth game.
Raonic saved two break points with winners and closed the game for 3-3 and more drama. They served well in the next three games, and Milos needed another fine hold at 4-5. He cracked under pressure and faced a match point after a double fault.
Federer converted it after the rival’s mistake, sealing the deal and celebrating his 1000 ATP win at 33.
Novak Djokovic claimed seven ATP titles in 2023, passing Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl and standing on 98 ATP trophies! No one could have predicted he would still be without the milestone 100th ATP trophy at the end of 2024.
Novak did not enjoy a good season despite finishing in the top-10 for the 17th time. The Serb lost in the final at Wimbledon and the Shanghai Masters. His only title came at the most desired event, as Djokovic conquered an elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Novak threw everything at this event and beat six rivals in straight sets, becoming the first player with a title at all 15 notable tennis events. Djokovic will try to make a strong start to the 2025 season and lift a trophy in Brisbane, competing at this event for the first time since 2009.
