Melbourne (AFP) – Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic sent his support to the thousands of people protesting against the government in Serbia on Sunday and condemned "violence" against his compatriots.

The first Grand Slam tournament of 2025 continues on Thursday as we gear up for the third round of the Australian Open, set to kick off tonight.

Riding every point, the supporters of a man they describe as a Serbian national hero egged him on to a victory of old over young.

World No.7 Novak Djokovic put on a flawless performance to beat Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena on Friday, January 17. Djokovic now has a 2-1 lead over Machac in the H2H record on the ATP Tour.

Spectators booed an injured Novak Djokovic as he left the court in Rod Laver Arena after quitting one set into his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev

Novak Djokovic is 37 and was forced to stop playing because of an injury at two of the past four Grand Slam tournaments.

Djokovic said he wants an apology from Channel 9 and Tony Jones, who called the 24-time Grand Slam champion overrated and a has-been during an on-air appearance.

It seems as if there’s always something going on with Novak Djokovic at Grand Slam tournaments. Even he says so.

It is now 53 years since Ken Rosewall defeated Mal Anderson to win the Australian Open at the age of 37. Should the No.7 seed, whose ball striking was breathtaking on Tuesday night, secure an 11th Australian Open title this week, that record will be his.

Djokovic, speaking at a news conference in Melbourne where he is taking part ... qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament. Serbia has been rocked by a wave of student-led protests ...

Novak Djokovic has come back to defeat Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the 12th time.