Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Adelaide International, his planned warm-up tournament for the 2026 Australian Open, citing concerns over his physical readiness as he continues preparations for another historic Grand Slam campaign.
The 38-year-old Serbian, who is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, confirmed the decision on Monday, explaining that he does not yet feel ready to compete at full intensity so early in the season.
Djokovic was scheduled to compete in Adelaide next week, a tournament he won in 2023, before going on to lift the Australian Open trophy three weeks later. However, with Melbourne as his ultimate focus, the world number four has opted for caution.
Djokovic Prioritises Australian Open Preparation
“I was really excited about returning as it truly felt like playing at home,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.
“My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon.”
The decision reflects a broader trend in Djokovic’s late-career approach. In recent seasons, he has reduced his playing schedule, prioritising peak fitness for Grand Slam events rather than building match rhythm through smaller tournaments.
This strategy has helped extend his career deep into his late 30s, even as recovery times lengthen and injury risks increase.
Australian Open Remains Djokovic’s Favourite Hunting Ground
Djokovic is the most successful men’s singles player in Australian Open history, having lifted the title 10 times. However, his past two appearances at Melbourne Park have ended in disappointment, with semi-final exits on both occasions.
Last year, his Australian Open campaign ended abruptly when he was forced to retire injured during his semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev, raising questions about his physical durability going forward.
Despite that setback, Djokovic remains one of the tournament favourites whenever he steps onto Rod Laver Arena.
Recent Form: Consistent but Without a Major Title
Although Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, his performances at the majors in 2025 underlined his continued competitiveness at the highest level.
He reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, losing:
- To Jannik Sinner at the French Open
- To Sinner again at Wimbledon
- To Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open
While those defeats denied him further major silverware, they demonstrated that Djokovic remains capable of matching the new generation over best-of-five-set matches.
He also added two ATP Tour titles last season, bringing his career total to 101 professional singles titles — another remarkable milestone.
Adelaide Withdrawal Highlights Physical Management
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Adelaide underlines the fine margins he is now navigating. At 38, even minor physical concerns can have significant consequences over the two-week grind of a Grand Slam.
By skipping the tournament, Djokovic avoids the risk of early-season strain while allowing additional time for conditioning, match simulations, and acclimatisation in Melbourne.
The 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday, 18 January, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 1 February.
Late Night Matches Under Scrutiny Again
Djokovic’s withdrawal news comes amid renewed debate over late night scheduling at the Australian Open.
Earlier, three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev called for night sessions to start earlier, following a match that finished at 2:55am local time.
Currently, night sessions begin at 19:00 local time, with two matches scheduled on both Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena.
Djokovic and Andy Murray have previously criticised late finishes in Melbourne, with Murray famously describing his 4:05am finish in 2023 as a “farce”.
Medvedev argued that earlier start times would benefit both players and fans.
“People who really love tennis would like to see it at six because then they are almost sure to watch both matches,” Medvedev said.
“If it goes long, instead of finishing at three, it finishes at two. It’s better for everyone.”
All Eyes on Melbourne
With Adelaide now off his schedule, attention turns to whether Djokovic can arrive in Melbourne fully fit and mentally primed for another title run.
If successful, he would become the first player in tennis history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles, further cementing his status as one of the greatest athletes the sport has ever seen.
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