Djokovic pokes fun at online theory after breezing into Brisbane quarters

“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.

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“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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