UNBEATABLE: MARCOS BAGHDATIS PICKS DJOKOVIC OVER FEDERER, NADAL
Marcos Baghdatis names Novak Djokovic as his ultimate challenge, saying the Serb was the only player he felt he couldn't beat.
Marcos Baghdatis says Novak Djokovic was his toughest competitor during his 16 years as a pro tennis player. Djokovic won all eight of their matches between 2007 and 2015, including a really hard-fought five-hour quarter-final match at Wimbledon.
Djokovic was just one player that Baghdatis could never beat. It's interesting because the Cypriot player did win against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer back in 2010. That year, he was the only player to beat both of them while they were ranked No. 1 in the world.
That's why the 40-year-old thinks the current Olympic champion is better than the other two in the Big Three. Baghdatis mentioned to Tennis365 that he would go with Novak Djokovic because he never managed to beat him, but it's still a hard pick.
He shouted out Andy Murray as another top player, along with others, like David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka, and Tomas Berdych, as other tough opponents from his time.
Thinking back on playing Djokovic, Baghdatis said that his matches with Novak were pretty close and that's what he remembers.
He recalled one match at Indian Wells a decade ago that didn't go so well. He felt he was given a tennis lesson, as he lost 6-1, 6-2. Interestingly enough, their final match actually ended 6-1, 6-3.
Baghdatis said that he felt like Djokovic taught him a lesson that day, which he never felt when he played Roger or Rafa.
He said that even when he was younger and played Roger, he always felt like he could win next time. But with Novak, he didn't have that feeling, especially after that match.
Earlier this year, Baghdatis mentioned to Tennishead that playing against Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Nadal kind of messed up his career. Because they were always in the finals.
He said it was tough but also a privilege to share the court with some of the greatest players ever, especially Novak.
Baghdatis said that when he played against Djokovic, he felt like there was no way to win. He felt that Rafa and Roger would leave an opening but would close it when it mattered most. When he beat them in 2010, they questioned what had changed. He responded by saying that stuff happens.
After Djokovic beat Baghdatis in the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2009, he said, during an interview, that they are Orthodox brothers, referring to the Christian church.
SHOCK REACTION: ELENA RYBAKINA RESPONDS TO SABALENKA'S WTA INSULT
Elena Rybakina claims the WTA Finals title over Aryna Sabalenka, who made a frustrated comment about her opponent's "lucky" win.
Elena Rybakina finished 2025 on a high note, winning the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka, her opponent, wasn't thrilled, naturally.
In sports, only one person can win. The WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were no different. The eight top players battled for the season's last trophy, with Rybakina and Sabalenka in the showdown.
Both players hit the ball with power, making it an exciting match. Rybakina left Saudi Arabia happy, while Sabalenka, upset by the loss, hurried off to the Maldives, eager to forget her disappointment.
Sabalenka was reportedly overheard saying about her opponent's victory, "Even a stick shoots once a year," which some took as her dismissing Rybakina's win as mere luck. She’d made similar remarks after losing to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open.
It's understandable why Sabalenka felt frustrated. She finished 2025 as world number one and earned the most prize money in a season on the WTA Tour, but she came close to a Calendar Slam, losing all three major matches in three sets.
The WTA Finals loss seemed like the final blow in a year of close calls for Sabalenka. When Rybakina was asked about Sabalenka's comment in an interview, she wasn't offended.
I heard about it after the match, but I understand what she meant. We've played each other a lot, especially this year, so I don't take it personally. I like Aryna and her team, so it doesn't bother me, even if she was talking about me.
When tennis players are competing, they have to stick to a strict diet and routine. The tennis schedule is tough, and losing focus can hurt them.
The off-season is their chance to relax, so Rybakina was asked how she spent her first days after the season ended. She said she ate pastries and cake and caught up on sleep.
When I'm playing in tournaments, I try to avoid sweets. But as soon as the season was over, I ate all kinds of pastries. They even gave me a cake with the WTA logo, so I celebrated.”
I also slept more, did nothing special, and relaxed for a few days. I even went to a concert, which is something different for me.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: NICK KYRGIOS ENTERS KOOYONG CLASSIC, MAKING HIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN RETURN OFFICIAL
Nick Kyrgios's Australian Open comeback. Find the latest news, injury updates, and analysis on his Kooyong Classic entry and preparation. Follow the star's journey back to the top of the tennis world.
Nick Kyrgios is planning to test his readiness for the Australian Open in Melbourne this January. He'll play in the Kooyong Classic the week before.
Kyrgios hasn't played since the Miami Masters in March. Before that, he made brief appearances at the Brisbane International, Melbourne Park, and Indian Wells after being out of action for two years.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist had knee issues and then a wrist injury that needed surgery last September. He had to stop his comeback when the knee pain returned.
Kyrgios told AAP that he's feeling good and thinks he can play professionally again.
He said that around late July, he didn't think he could play the Australian Open. However, something changed in the last month. His knee isn't swelling or feeling bad after practice.
Kooyong Classic director Peter Johnston said Kyrgios seems confident about playing in the exhibition, which is back after a break in 2025.
Johnston said it's great to see Nick playing singles again. He's said that Kyrgios brings something special to the court, and you know something memorable will occur when he plays.
Kyrgios needs to prove he can maintain his fitness from training and exhibitions on the pro circuit.
After a career-best season in 2022, where he played 52 matches, he's only played six matches at the top level in the last six months.
The former Australian Open doubles champion will play an exhibition against Tommy Paul in New York next month.
Then, Kyrgios will participate in a World Tennis League event with Daniil Medvedev and Gael Monfils leading into Christmas.
He's also scheduled to play Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition in Dubai on December 28.
It's unclear if Kyrgios will play in the Brisbane International.
Kooyong has attracted a good group of players, including Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, and Flavio Cobolli.
Matteo Berrettini and Karen Khachanov are also scheduled to attend, so Kyrgios will understand immediately where he stands before the Australian Open.
Johnston said that Kooyong continues to attract players who want to get ready for the Australian Open.