Just In; Sad As Seagull Interrupts Djokovic’s Australian Open Win as Murray Coaches from the Sidelines…….
Novak Djokovic’s first-round victory at the Australian Open was unexpectedly interrupted, not by a fan or a technical issue, but by a seagull that decided to make a cameo during his match.
The Serbian tennis legend was in the middle of preparing for a serve against American Nishesh Basavareddy in the fourth set when the bird caused a commotion. As Djokovic tossed the ball into the air, the seagull let out a loud squawk just as he was about to strike the ball, throwing off his focus. Startled, Djokovic let the ball drop to the floor, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Laughing along with the fans, Djokovic looked up at the sky, trying to locate the avian culprit behind the disruption. The brief distraction didn’t derail his momentum, though, as he quickly recovered and went on to win the match in four sets. After losing the first set 6-4, Djokovic won the next three 6-3, 6-4, and 6-2, securing a spot in the second round.
In the next round, Djokovic will face Jaime Faria of Portugal, aiming for a place in the third round of the tournament.
Reflecting on his win, Djokovic shared his thoughts on his opponent’s performance. “In the end, it was a great result,” he said. “I think he was the better player for a set and a half, and he deserves every bit of the applause that he got when he was leaving the court. It was a great performance from him.”
Djokovic admitted that he had little knowledge of Basavareddy before their match, having only seen him play a few days earlier. “These kinds of matches are always tricky and dangerous, especially when you’re playing against someone who has nothing to lose, with it being his first Grand Slam match,” Djokovic explained. “He is a very complete player, and he pleasantly surprised me with his shots and fighting spirit. I wish him all the best for the rest of his career.”
In addition to the usual support in his box, Djokovic had a notable presence courtside—Andy Murray, his longtime rival, was there coaching him. Djokovic expressed his appreciation for having Murray by his side.
“I’m thrilled to have him in my corner,” Djokovic said. “It’s a bit strange, to be honest. We’ve played against each other at the highest level for over 20 years, so it’s nice to have him on my side of the net.”
Murray’s input proved valuable during the match. “He gave me some great advice,” Djokovic said. “It’s really nice to exchange feedback and have that kind of dynamic. It’s been a really positive experience, and I hope we can continue this partnership.”
