Novak Djokovic has playfully stopped short of dismissing a popular conspiracy theory about the backpack he arrived in Australia with after breezing into the Brisbane quarter-finals on Thursday night.
Djokovic’s wife Jelena and children, Stefan and Tara, are with him in Australia for the first time, as his winning ways in the country continue unabated, including a 6-3, 6-3 cakewalk over Frenchman Gael Monfils, who he has beaten all 20 times they played.
Novak Djokovic had little trouble defeating Gael Monfils for a 20th time on Thursday night in Brisbane.Credit: AP
The 37-year-old tennis legend is hunting an 11th Australian Open crown and 25th grand slam title overall, which contributed to some wild conjecture about the grey Pikachu backpack he had as he walked into Brisbane airport.
Pokémon character Pikachu is No.25 in the National Pokedex, so the theory goes that Djokovic was sending a message on his airport arrival.
“All I can say is my kids, particularly my son, loves Pikachu. Subtle, subliminal messages,” Djokovic said, smiling.
“It’s his bag. But I was carrying it on my bag going out from the airport. I have seen [what is being said]. It makes me laugh – I love it.”
Djokovic said his family’s presence meant he was playing guilt-free in Australia and even more motivated to deny Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and co. when his 20th Australian Open campaign starts in barely a week.
He often spoke last year about how difficult it was to leave his family behind when he left for tournaments, and he said he was pleasantly surprised to discover Jelena wanted to bring the kids to Australia.
“I wasn’t expecting that because I know it’s a long trip, [and with] school and everything. There are many challenges that you have to face as a parent,” Djokovic said.
“I’m doing my own thing here. If I have a match day, I’m spending time getting ready for that match and everything. Obviously, she has to take care of the kids.
“She’s here supporting me, trying to give me that love and energy, along with the kids, that I need to play my best tennis. So far, it’s working very well. I’m feeling great on the court, I’m playing great.”
Djokovic next faces American giant Reilly Opelka, a six-foot-11 American, ahead of a potential semi-final clash with France’s six-foot-eight rocket-server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
After converting all three break points against Monfils, he is preparing for some challenging times on return against Opelka.
“[He is] just awfully frustrating to play against, like [John] Isner in his best days. Mpetshi Perricard, as well. Youngster, big guy, huge serve,” Djokovic said.
“Sometimes, you’re more walking in the return games than you’re actually playing. You have to get used to that. When the opportunities are presented, in the tiebreak or maybe before, you try to put that pressure on your
server.
“That’s what I’ve been able to do most of the time in my career. I think the performance tonight gives me a great deal of confidence coming into tomorrow.”
Mpetshi Perricard, who ousted fourth-seeded American Frances Tiafoe after eliminating Nick Kyrgios before that, meets Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in his quarter-final.
Australia’s Jordan Thompson faces defending champion Grigor Dimitrov in a tough last-eight battle, while the other men’s quarter-final pits Chilean Nicolas Jarry against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.
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