"That doesn’t mean nobody else has a chance": Novak Djokovic admits Sinalcaraz dominance but no farewell tour in sight and belief in 25th Grand Slam

Saturday, 17 January 2026 at 09:02

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Novak Djokovic insists there is still no farewell tour in sight. Back at Melbourne Park for a record-extending 21st Australian Open, the 10-time champion spoke with clarity, perspective and unmistakable competitive fire as he addressed his place in a rapidly evolving men’s game.

Now 38, Djokovic returns to the tournament he has dominated more than any other, still ranked world number four and still believing he can beat anyone when the pieces fall into place. “Happy New Year to everyone,” Djokovic said with a smile. “It’s great to be back once again. Twenty-one times is amazing.”

His history in Australia stretches back two decades. “I think I qualified for my first Grand Slam here back in 2005 and played my first night session on Rod Laver Arena against Marat Safin, who later went on to win the title here. So it’s been a long journey, but a very successful one. It’s been my most successful Grand Slam and I’ve always loved playing in Australia. They call it the Happy Slam for a reason.”

For Djokovic, Melbourne still represents the perfect place to begin a season. “We’re all motivated to kick-start the season in the best possible way,” he said. “For me, I try not to take any of the opportunities for granted and hopefully get the best out of myself at this tournament.”

Managing the body

After a 2025 season shaped by physical challenges, Djokovic acknowledged that preparation now looks very different from earlier in his career.

“I finished the season in the first week of November, so it’s been a while since I played any official competition,” he explained. “I took some time off and more time to rebuild my body. Over the last couple of years, that’s what has changed the most for me – it takes more time to rebuild and to recover.”

That process included a setback which ruled him out of the Adelaide warm-up event. “Unfortunately, I had a little setback that prevented me from competing in Adelaide,” he said. “But so far things have been going very well here. Every day there’s something here and there, I guess for all of us, but generally I feel good and I’m looking forward to competing.”

The 25th Grand Slam question

The pursuit of a record-breaking 25th major continues to dominate discussion around Djokovic, but he was keen to shift the focus.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the 25th,” he said. “But I try to focus on what I have achieved, not what I might achieve. I hope it comes, but 24 is also not a bad number.”

Rather than chasing history, Djokovic stressed the importance of perspective. “I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I’ve had, and also release some unnecessary pressure,” he said. “There’s always pressure and expectations, but I don’t think it’s needed for me to perform my best. I don’t feel that ‘now or never’ mentality is necessary. It doesn’t allow me to excel.”

What does remain, however, is belief. “When I’m healthy and able to put all the pieces together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody,” Djokovic said. “If I didn’t have that belief, I wouldn’t be here competing.”

He was realistic, though, about the current hierarchy in the sport. “I understand that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now,” he admitted. “That’s a fact. But that doesn’t mean nobody else has a chance. I always like my chances, particularly here.”

No regrets, no countdown

Asked whether losses linger more than wins late in a career, Djokovic rejected the premise entirely.

“I don’t know if I agree with that,” he said. “It’s a matter of perspective. Some athletes may have regrets if they didn’t achieve certain goals, but many others are very appreciative of what they’ve achieved.”

He placed himself firmly in the latter category. “I’m the last guy who should complain or regret anything,” Djokovic said. “I’ve broken pretty much every record there is to break in this sport, and I’m eternally grateful to tennis for giving me the opportunity to travel the world and live my dream. I’m still living my dream.”

For Djokovic, motivation extends far beyond numbers and trophies. “Achievements are one of the biggest motivations, of course, but they’re not the only motivation,” he said. “It’s passion and love for the game. It’s the interaction with people. It’s the energy you feel when you walk on court. That adrenaline rush is addictive.”

Despite constant questions about retirement, Djokovic made his stance clear. “I don’t want to talk or think about it yet,” he said. “I’m still number four in the world, still competing at the highest level, and I don’t see the need to draw attention to that discussion.”

Stepping away from the PTPA

Djokovic also addressed his recent decision to step back from the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded with Vasek Pospisil.

“It was hard, to be honest,” he said. “We put a lot of heart, soul and energy into founding the PTPA in 2020. The mission from day one was to give players a stronger voice and help expand the number of players who can make a living from this sport, particularly at the lower professional levels.”

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While his support for players remains unchanged, Djokovic felt his continued involvement was no longer sustainable. “I felt my name was being overused and that people saw it as my organisation, which was never the intention,” he explained. “I also didn’t agree with the direction the leadership was taking, and with everything related to the lawsuit in Miami last year. That’s why I stepped out.”

Still, he stressed that the cause matters. “That doesn’t mean I don’t support the PTPA. I do,” Djokovic said. “I think there’s a need for a 100 per cent players-only organisation, and I hope it continues to exist and grow.”

Still in the fight

Although he acknowledged that the very top level now demands even more physically, Djokovic remains competitive by adapting his approach.

“I’m missing a little bit of juice in my legs to compete with these guys in the later stages of a Grand Slam, to be honest,” he said. “But I’m giving my best and I think I’ve done very well challenging them.”

He pointed to last season as proof. “I lost three out of four Grand Slams last year against either Sinner or Alcaraz,” he said. “They deserve all the praise – they’re the dominant forces in men’s tennis right now.”

Yet Djokovic still sees himself in the mix. “My priority is taking care of my body and building momentum without spending unnecessary energy,” he said. “Hopefully I can go far again and get a chance to play one or both of them here. I would love that.”

At an event where his legacy is unmatched, Djokovic’s message was unmistakable: the game may be changing, but he is not done yet.

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Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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