Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic embraces the wacky in Melbourne Park quest

He may not be the reigning champion, but Novak Djokovic remains the master of Melbourne, even if two young stars are set to duke it out for his crown at the Australian Open.

Not content with being the GOAT, Novak Djokovic is once again streets ahead of his rivals when it comes to embracing wacky ideas.

Love him or loathe him, the Serbian tennis legend has never been frightened to experiment with wild hunches about how to get the best out of himself.

Whether it’s hugging his favourite tree, mediating, using hyperbaric oxygen chambers, engaging spiritual gurus or his gluten-free diet, Djokovic has tried them all.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic and his coach Andy Murray talk during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. Picture: William West/AFP

And with a record 24 grand slams under his belt, who’s to argue he’s wrong – even if his latest theory sounds a little crazier than usual.

Ahead of his first match at the Australian Open, against American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy on Monday, Djokovic posted a video revealing his latest mystery helper was a green energy disc that he placed over parts of his body to repair them.

“For example, if you have stomach issues, which I do have often when I’m nervous, stressed before the match or indigestion issues, that creates heat,” he said.

“So then it starts enhancing the metabolic functions or it reduces inflammation in certain parts of the body.“

It’s still uncertain whether the 37 year old was being serious or not but everyone will find out how fair dinkum he is about winning his 11th Australian Open title.

Jannik Sinner. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Given star billing as the night match on the Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic admitted he knew very little about his opponent but enough to respect him as a dangerous floater.

“I watched him play (last week) actually for the first time. I saw that he’s very quick. He’s a very talented player. He’s got great hands. He’s very dynamic. He can serve well, hit spots. Just very complete game overall,” Djokovic said.

“This is his, I guess, first time in the main draw of the Grand Slam, wildcard, playing on the centre court. Not much to lose.

“I’m sure that he is going to be really pumped to make a statement. I have to obviously approach that match very seriously, like any other, and do my best to get a win. Also in the process, enjoy the nice moment of sharing the court with him.”

If the experts are right, Djokovic is one of just three players who can win this men’s singles title this year.

As the last standing member of the ‘big three’, Djokovic’s two big threats are the young guns – Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who are also opening their 2025 campaigns on Monday.

Carlos Alcaraz is looking for a career Grand Slam. Picture: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP

The defending champion, Sinner has been drawn to meet Chile’s Nicholas Jarry in the afternoon match at Rod Laver Arena.

At shorter odds than Winx, the 23-year-old Italian’s preparations have been clouded by his complicated doping case. Cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive to a banned steroid, the matter has been appealed, with a hearing set for April.

Little wonder, he said he can’t wait to get back on the court where he won his first grand slam 12 months ago.

“It’s very special, special place to be back,” he said.

“Many things have changed on and off the court. Very glad that these memories will always be in my mind for so many years.

“Let’s see what I can do this year. It’s a question that I think nobody of us can answer. But it’s good to be back here, and we’ll see what the tournament is going to say.”

Sinner spent part of Sunday hitting on the same practice court as Alcaraz, who only needs the Australian Open to complete the full set of tennis majors.

Alcaraz, 21, kicks off his tournament against Alexander Shevchenko in Monday’s night feature match on Margaret Court Arena.

Originally published as Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic embraces the wacky in Melbourne Park quest