Djokovic kicks off his season at the United Cup

Novak Djokovic landed in Perth on Thursday, the day after his exhibition match lost to Carlos Alcaraz (4-6, 6-4, 6-4) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The world number 1 will officially kick off his season on Sunday at the United Cup (December 29 – January 7), two weeks before defending his title at the Australian Open. The mixed team competition organized by the ATP and the WTA brings together eighteen nations in six pools distributed between Sydney and Perth. The first in each group and the two best runners-up will qualify for the quarter-finals. The matches consist of men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Serbia placed in Group E with China and the Czech Republic, Djokovic will first challenge world number 58 Zhang Zhizhen then, two days later, number 31 Jiri Lehecka. He could also be lined up in mixed doubles with his compatriot Olga Danilovic. “Representing Serbia is always a huge honor and a source of pride,” said the 36-year-old, interviewed by Australian media upon his arrival Down Under. I hope the stands will be full for our matches! The Australian summer is always hot, we prepared for it in the Middle East. I will have two days of training and I hope to quickly reach the level I am aiming for. I always played my best tennis in Australia. »

The French team has taken up residence in Sydney. Adrian Mannarino and Caroline Garcia will try to bring the first point to the Blues on Monday against the Germany of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber before challenging the Italy of Lorenzo Sonego and Jasmine Paolini on Wednesday. Édouard Roger-Vasselin, for the mixed doubles, Antoine Escoffier, Amandine Hesse and Elixane Lechemia complete the French selection. A year ago, France (Garcia, Cornet, Mannarino, Rinderknech, Roger-Vasselin) failed in the pools, beaten by Croatia. It was the United States that had been crowned.