Novak Djokovic details Australian Open plan after withdrawing from tournament
Novak Djokovic feels “not quite physically ready to compete” just two weeks before the record ten-time Australian Open champion tries to win a 25th Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the nearing Adelaide International because he’s “not quite physically ready to compete.” The record ten-time Australian Open winner announced the decision on Monday with a social media statement.
Sharing a post on to his Instagram stories, Djokovic said: “To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately, I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week. It’s personally very disappointing to me as I have such great memories of winning the title there two years ago.
“I was really excited about returning, as it truly felt like playing at home. My focus is now on preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia.”
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Tennis Australia had hailed this year’s men’s field as among the strongest in Adelaide’s history. Jack Draper was also on the entry list, but has since withdrawn from the entire Australian swing.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No.14), Jiri Lehecka (No.19) and Tommy Paul (No.20) are now the only top-20 players remaining before the tournament’s main draw begins on Monday, 12 January. Lehecka defeated Draper in the 2024 final, 12 months after Djokovic overcame Sebastian Korda.
The Brisbane International is currently underway, featuring players such as Davidovich Fokina, Lehecka and Paul, as well as world No.13 Daniil Medvedev. Top-30 competitors include Cameron Norrie (No.28), Denis Shapovalov (No.23) and Learner Tien (No.26) after Joao Fonseca (No.29) pulled out due to a back injury.
With this season’s Australian Open main draw starting on 18 January, Djokovic has just under two weeks to prepare physically for the competition. The men’s singles final at Rod Laver Arena, which Djokovic last reached in 2023 when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, is scheduled for 1 February.
Djokovic made his second social media announcement within 24 hours on Monday. His initial statement on Sunday confirmed his departure from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
That statement read: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation.
“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed.”
The PTPA said in response: “Players created the PTPA to secure a stronger, more transparent voice in professional tennis. The PTPA is governed by players and operates with open communication, collaborative decisions, and regular engagement. We always welcome the opportunity to address issues with any player and remain available to do so.
“As part of its mission, the PTPA initiated litigation against the tours and Grand Slams to advance reforms related to governance, transparency, and player rights. As a result, we have been targets of a coordinated defamation and witness intimidation campaign through the spreading of inaccurate and misleading narratives intended to discredit the PTPA, its staff, and its work. A federal court has already ruled this type of harassment improper and ordered it to cease.
“We are working closely with legal counsel, law enforcement and players to evaluate all available options to address the spread of misinformation. These attacks from non-player third parties will not distract us from our mission: pursuing meaningful reforms for all players.”
