Tennis News: Davis Cup, Novak Djokovic and Brisbane International

Davis Cup play is almost always fascinating. Players match up many times against players they aren’t familiar with and none of that has to do with ATP tour ranking but simply devotion to one’s own country. Some players sit out Davis Cup play because the finals stretch deep into the year when many players are worn out. But Novak Djokovic isn’t worn out and that’s great for the Davis Cup.

Djokovic’s Serbia faced off this week against Spain. Spain, of course, is home to Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and a host of other great players, but Serbia dominated the tie. Djokovic clinched the victory with a 6-3 6-4 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Now Serbia moves on to the final 8 of the Davis Cup.

So does Great Britain who defeated Switzerland this week. Britain’s Cameron Norrie defeated Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in their match, but if you haven’t seen Wawrinka’s ridiculous shot against Norrie then check it out here. Meanwhile, Andy Murray dedicated the Davis Cup victory to his grandmother who just recently passed away.

Djokovic helps Serbia in the Davis Cup and the Brisbane International returns

The final 8 teams will compete in knock-out rounds from November 21 through 28. The event will be held in Malaga, Spain.

In other news, the Brisbane International will return in 2024. The tournament was held from 2009 through 2019 but then ceased once the COVID pandemic struck. The tournament will be held from January 31 through January 7 at the Queensland Tennis Centre. The men’s side will feature 32 players and will be an ATP 250 event. The women’s side will expand from 32 players to 48 and will be a WTA 500 tournament.

Many players might use the tournament as a warmup to the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. The Aussie Open will be held from January 15 through 28 in 2024. Will Novak Djokovic continue his dominant run there and get Grand Slam number 25? Or will 2024 be the year everything changes?