Returned to a semifinal at Melbourne Park for the seventh time in his career, Novak Djokovic is in strikingly familiar territory. It was at the Australian Open, after all, that the Serb claimed his first Grand Slam title as a 20-year-old – now a six-time champion in Melbourne, it’s delivered the majority of his 14 majors.
“It feels great. This has been my most successful Grand Slam throughout my career, the first one that I won back in 2008,” said Djokovic after an injury retirement from Kei Nishikori ensured his quarterfinal progression.
“I have a lot of beautiful memories from Rod Laver Arena.”
Entering a first-ever match with maiden Grand Slam semifinalist Lucas Pouille, there’s another important motivator – success in Melbourne has provided the foundation for Djokovic to create some of the best tennis seasons ever recorded.
In 2011, victory over Andy Murray in the final was the first of seven straight titles. His eventual 10 titles from 11 finals included three Grand Slams and a record five ATP Masters 1000 crowns, Djokovic building a 70-6 match record for the season.
Four years on there was even more to celebrate as Djokovic’s AO2015 triumph was among a career-high 11 titles. He featured in all four Grand Slam finals that season, his only loss coming at the French Open.
“Over the past 10 years, I've had plenty of success here. Obviously, that has helped to kick-start the season in a great fashion, obviously served as a great confidence boost for what was coming up after that,” he said.
“I think that's one of the reasons why I think I always try to push myself really to focus here and to play as best as I can … Everyone tries to get their hands on one of the four biggest titles in sport. But Australia has been really kind to me.”
Equally, though, there’s an awareness that his vast Melbourne success is not to be taken for granted. Managing some injury challenges in the last two seasons, Djokovic also encountered some difficult opponents; he lost to Denis Istomin in the 2017 second round and to Hyeon Chung in last year’s fourth round.
Pouille is another opponent not to be taken for granted. After surviving a five-set test against Alexei Popyrin in the third round, the No.28 seed defeated two higher-ranked players, Borna Coric and Milos Raonic, to reach his first major semifinal.
“I always thought he's a great quality player,” said Djokovic. “I mean, what he has done this tournament is fantastic. He has won against some top players.
“With the quality of the tennis that he possesses, he deserves to be definitely at the top 15, maybe top 10 of the world. He's got that quality and potential, no question about it.”
Increasingly, Pouille also shows a measure of resilience. Not only has the 24-year-old never won a match in five previous Melbourne appearances, but he also started 2019 with four straight losses, failing to win a match at the Hopman Cup or in Sydney.
The impressive turnaround was helped by a high-profile coach, Pouille now supported by AO2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo. While there’s been much attention on the fact that he’s the only top-100 man coached by a female who is not a family member, Pouille himself is more impressed by how his countrywoman can bring out his best tennis.
“She is the right state of mind, she knows everything about tennis,” he insisted. “It's not about being a woman or a man. It doesn't matter. You just have to know what you're doing, and she does.”
Most importantly, Mauresmo has helped Pouille helped him rediscover his love for competing. “Last year I lost a bit of joy to be on the court, didn't want to live in tournament, all this stuff,” said Pouille, who is also coached by Loic Courtea.
“(I) started a new adventure with my team, with Amelie, with Loic. I think that was the great thing for me. I want to practice. I enjoy being on the court again. That's the most important.”
Reinstated as world No.1 in his return to major-winning form in the second half of 2018, Djokovic has also rediscovered his passion for tennis.
“I think it always has to start or go back to the very essence of why I play the sport: it's love and passion for the game. I think I had to really I think dig deep to kind of inspire myself even more after an injury and surgery,” said Djokovic on his recovery from some career-threatening circumstances.
“I still enjoy playing tennis, competing of course as well. Just for the sake of holding the racquet in my hands and playing on any court, whether it's a public court or a Grand Slam court.
“I think that kind of pure emotion got me going.”
And the happy memories can’t hurt either.
The significance of the fact that’s it’s 20 years since his coach, Mauresmo, made her first Grand Slam final at AO1999 won’t be lost on Pouille. For Djokovic, there’s arguably an even bigger reason to be confident: from all six semifinals he’s contested so far, the world No.1 has proceeded to win his six Australian Open titles.