Novak Djokovic is approaching the 2026 Australian Open with a refined perspective, joking that '24 is also not a bad number' as he prepares for another bid to secure an elusive 25th Grand Slam singles crown. The Serbian legend, now 38, spoke candidly on Saturday about the challenge posed by the dominant duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have shared the last eight major titles between them.
Embracing a New Mentality Against Young Rivals
Djokovic, a ten-time champion at Melbourne Park, acknowledged the current supremacy of Alcaraz and Sinner with a characteristic mix of humour and respect. 'I lost three out of four Slams against either Sinner or Alcaraz' in 2025, he stated. While he urged against excessive praise for the pair, he conceded they are 'the dominant forces of men's tennis at the moment.'
To counter their threat, the world number four has deliberately altered his mindset. He explained that he is removing the 'now-or-never type of mentality' from his Grand Slam appearances, finding it counterproductive. 'Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That's a fact,' Djokovic said, 'but that doesn't mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.'
Managing Fitness and Form for the Long Haul
Understanding the demands of competing against younger athletes, Djokovic has taken a cautious approach to his preparation. He withdrew from his only scheduled warm-up event, citing a need to preserve his body. 'I'm lacking a little bit of juice in my legs to compete with two young stars at the end of the majors,' he admitted, emphasising the importance of staying as pain-free as possible.
His last official match was in November, allowing more time for physical recovery. 'Obviously took more time to rebuild my body,' he noted, acknowledging that recovery periods lengthen with age. Despite a minor setback that prevented him from playing in Adelaide, he reports his training in Melbourne has progressed well. He starts his campaign on Monday night against Spain's 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez on Rod Laver Arena.
Off-Court Moves: Stepping Back from the PTPA
Beyond the court, Djokovic has made a significant off-court decision, severing ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which he co-founded in 2020 with Vasek Pospisil. He stated his 'values and approach are no longer aligned' with the organisation's direction.
'It was a tough call for me to exit the PTPA, but I had to do that, because I felt like my name was... overused,' Djokovic explained. He wanted to correct the misconception that it was his personal organisation, though he still supports the principle of a player-only representative body.
As the tournament begins, all eyes will be on the seasoned champion to see if his new, relaxed outlook can propel him past the sport's new guard and closer to that historic 25th major title.
