Novak Djokovic has announced he will withdraw from next week’s Australian Open warm-up tournament in Adelaide to concentrate on preparations for the year’s first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. The 38-year-old Serbian made the announcement via social media, citing physical readiness as the reason for his decision.
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“To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” Djokovic said. “It’s personally very disappointing to me, as I have such great memories of winning the title there.”
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, won the Adelaide International in 2023. Despite missing the warm-up, he confirmed that his main focus remains the Australian Open, where he will seek an 11th title and a record 25th Grand Slam victory. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 18 to February 1 at Melbourne Park.
The Serbian star expressed enthusiasm about returning to Melbourne and engaging with fans. “My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia,” he added.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from Adelaide opens up opportunities for other top players in the lead-up event, which serves as a key platform for competitors to fine-tune their games ahead of the Grand Slam. Analysts note that such strategic withdrawals are common among elite athletes seeking to maximise performance at major tournaments.
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Fans worldwide have sent messages of support for Djokovic, acknowledging the importance of careful preparation and recovery for a player of his age and competitive schedule.
While Djokovic will miss the Adelaide event, his eyes remain firmly set on Melbourne, where he will aim to add to his already historic career and continue his pursuit of tennis records.