Novak Djokovic will get his 2026 season underway at the Australian Open later this month.
He was scheduled to appear at the Adelaide International next week, but Djokovic withdrew from the ATP 250 event as he was ‘not quite physically ready’.
The Serb will continue his search for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, where he has hoisted the trophy 10 times throughout his illustrious career.
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Djokovic only went as far as the semifinals at majors in 2025, having reached the final four at all four tournaments.
At 38 years of age, time is running out for the 24-time Grand Slam champion to add another crown to his name, but Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, says he is not worried about him heading into the Australian Open.
Patrick Mouratoglou is ‘not worried’ about Novak Djokovic
In a post on Instagram, Mouratoglou said: “Don’t worry about Novak. He’s gonna be ready for the Australian Open.
“First of all, I understand the people who are getting worried about Novak’s future, considering that he just withdrew from Adelaide, but I don’t think they should.
“It’s probably the last two years of Novak playing on tour. He’s still seeded quite high, so he will have the time at the Australian Open to have his level raised.
“He is probably the most serious player of all time, the one who always wants to be the best prepared, always.
“You have to remember that it’s a five-set event and at his age, it’s even more difficult to win a Grand Slam, of course, because of Sinner and Alcaraz, but also because it’s challenging on the physical side.
“He needs to be fully ready to play seven matches, potentially in five sets. And another reason not to worry about Novak. Last year, he made the semifinals of the four grand slams at 38 years old.
“The last tournament he played, yes, it was an ATP 250, but he won it. To think that it’s the end because he just doesn’t play the tournaments he planned to play before a Grand Slam because he wants to be more ready for it? I take it as a good sign.”
The last time Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open title
Djokovic has bowed out in the semifinal stage in his last two campaigns at the Australian Open.
Last year, he was forced to retire during his match with Alexander Zverev due to injury, and in 2024, he was beaten by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
The last time Djokovic went all the way at the Australian Open was in 2023, when he clinched a record-extending 10th trophy.
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Djokovic dropped just two sets en route to the final that year, where he ultimately met Stefanos Tsitsipas.
In straight sets, Djokovic defeated Tsitsipas to claim his 22nd Grand Slam, equalling the tally of Rafael Nadal, who briefly held the record for the most majors in men’s tennis history.
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