Novak Djokovic recovers from blip to see off ‘lights out’ Jaime Faria at 2025 Australian Open and break another record

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Novak Djokovic says that he still "loves" tennis and competing at the sport's top level after he reached the third round of the 2025 Australian Open. The 10-time champion at Melbourne Park beat Jaime Faria in four sets on Rod Laver Arena, registering a 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 victory in front of his new coach Andy Murray. He tees up an encounter with Tomas Machac, the 26th seed, in the next round.

Djokovic hugely relieved to come through Faria test - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

Novak Djokovic is through to the third round of the Australian Open, but he did not have it all his own way against Jaime Faria.

Djokovic, seeking an 11th title at Melbourne Park, dropped the second set against the 21-year-old Portuguese on Rod Laver Arena, but recovered to record a 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 victory.

The Serb, watched on by his new coach Andy Murray, ripped his young opponent apart in the opening set, but was pegged back in the second as Faria grew in confidence, breaking the world No. 7 twice to force a tie-break, before converting his second set point to level the scores.

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However, Djokovic, who surpassed Roger Federer for all-time most Grand Slam appearances, used every ounce of his experience to rise up to the challenge, closing out the rest of the encounter with relative ease.

He will face Tomas Machac, the 26th seed, in the third round.

In his post-match interview, Djokovic said that win or lose, he would always "leave my heart out on the court", and that he continued to "love" the competition and tennis as a whole after 20 years at the sport’s top table.

'He's exasperated' - Watch as Djokovic lets out huge emotions in front of Murray

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I love this sport, I love competition," Djokovic said.

"I try to give my best every single time. It’s been over 20 years that I have been competing at Grand Slams and at the highest level. When I win or lose, I always leave my heart out on the court.

"Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They mean everything. The history of this sport; they are the ones that motivate the youngest children.

"When I was a kid, the first image I had of tennis was watching the Wimbledon finals. I was four or five years old. Grand Slams are definitely the most important tournaments in the world. I’m blessed to be able to make another record."

'I always leave my heart out on the court' says Djokovic after breaking another record

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 24-time Grand Slam champion poked fun at Daniil Medvedev’s post-match interview following the Russian’s five-set thriller against Kasidit Samrej.

The world No. 5 had said that if Samrej played like he did every day he would have "money, girls, casinos".

"I responded very well in the third and fourth sets. Yesterday, Medvedev played five sets and was two sets to one down. In the wise words of Mr Daniil Medvedev, if the future generation plays this way, they’re going to have everything. Money, girls, casinos… I just love that statement, I had to say it."

Djokovic, 37, was mightily impressed with the quality of tennis produced by his opponent Faria, who is currently ranked world No. 125.

The Portuguese came through qualifying to reach the main draw, and he stunned Pavel Kotov in the opening round to earn himself a meeting with the sport’s greatest ever.

"He was playing lights-out tennis," Djokovic said.

"At the end of the second and beginning of the third, I had to weather the storm. He’s been practically serving two first serves the entire match; it’s not easy to play someone like that. He doesn’t have anything to lose. Coming out, he’s a big guy, and very young.

"I told him at the net that the future is bright for him and that he should keep going."

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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