The Australian Open has been the most successful tournament of Novak Djokovic’s career, but this year he returns to Melbourne shrouded in uncertainty.
After all, not only is he once again tasked with the near-impossible task of toppling both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner if he were to win the title, but he heads Down Under having pulled out of his preparatory tournament in Adelaide with an injury worry.
Even at full fitness, few support his claim for this title, but suffering from fitness concerns, his chances seem slim.
However, in his first press conference since returning to the Australian Open grounds, Novak Djokovic seemed in high spirits as he discussed the history on the line for him.
Novak Djokovic speaks about winning a 25th Grand Slam title
Naturally, the press were keen to ask Djokovic about how he rated his chances of winning Grand Slam number 25.
However, the Serbian superstar was equally keen to dismiss the fanfare, offering a measured response: “Yeah, there has been a lot of talk about the 25th, but, you know, I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I’m possibly achieving. I mean, I hope it comes to that, but 24 is also not a bad number. I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I had.
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“And also, you know, release some of that unnecessary pressure. I mean, obviously, there is always pressure and expectations, but, you know, I don’t think it’s, you know, needed for me to really go far in terms of, you know, make-it-or-break-it type of thing, you know, it’s now-or-never type of mentality. I don’t feel it’s necessary. Neither does that allow me to excel and perform my best.
“I’m just, as I said, grateful to have another shot, particularly here, a place where I won 10 Grand Slam titles and been consistently playing well and reaching the final stages. Last couple of years also semifinals, ’24 semifinals, ’25. Had a great win against Carlos in quarters last year.”
He did, however, offer an indication of his confidence levels ahead of the first major of the year.
Djokovic added: “Look, I know that when I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I didn’t have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn’t be here, definitely sitting here and talking to you guys or competing.
“I still have the drive, and of course I understand that, you know, Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That’s a fact, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”
Novak Djokovic’s retirement talks get shut down again
Despite what Djokovic continues to say, people are consistently linking the 39-year-old with an imminent retirement.
After all, given the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner, and his increasing age and dwindling physicality, there is cause for concern from within his camp.
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And yet, he remains calm, unwilling to be dragged into conversations about a topic he has been very clear on.
Holger Rune recently said that talk of Djokovic retiring was crazy.
The Serbian has effectively said as much himself too, pinpointing the 2028 LA Olympics as a potential swan song for him. It will be interesting to see if he comes good on that promise of another two years at the highest level.
