Despite the recent dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the Grand Slam stage, Novak Djokovic believes he remains firmly in contention heading into the Australian Open 2026.
Now 38, Djokovic was the most consistent player outside the world’s top two during the 2025 season, reaching four Grand Slam semifinals and finishing the year ranked No. 4. Three of those semifinal exits came against Alcaraz and Sinner, underscoring the gap—but not extinguishing Djokovic’s belief.
Speaking on Media Day in Melbourne, the 10-time Australian Open champion acknowledged the current hierarchy in men’s tennis while maintaining his trademark confidence.
Alcaraz and Sinner, he said, fully deserve their status at the top of the game, but he remains focused on staying competitive at the highest level. With a stronger ranking improving his early-round draws, Djokovic emphasized that his Slam approach remains unchanged: managing his body, conserving energy, and building momentum match by match.
Djokovic enters his 21st Australian Open appearance feeling physically refreshed after taking extended time off following his 101st ATP title win in Athens late last year. He withdrew from a planned Adelaide warm-up event to prioritize recovery, noting that rebuilding and resetting his body now takes longer than earlier in his career.
His most notable victory over the so-called “Sincaraz” era came in Melbourne last year, where he defeated Alcaraz in a grueling quarterfinal. However, the physical toll of that match resulted in an injury that forced him to withdraw in the semifinals. Even so, the performance reinforced his belief that an 11th Australian Open crown remains achievable.
Djokovic openly admitted that Alcaraz and Sinner are currently operating on a level above the rest of the field, but insisted that opportunity still exists for others—especially in Melbourne, where he has enjoyed unparalleled success.
While chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic has attempted to reduce the pressure surrounding career milestones. He joked that 24 majors is already an exceptional achievement, reiterating that his primary motivation continues to be passion for the sport rather than records alone.
Set to open his campaign against Spain’s Pedro Martínez, Djokovic described his ongoing love for tennis as driven by competition, crowd energy, and the adrenaline of match play—feelings he says remain as powerful as ever.
Although he has previously hinted at the Summer Olympic Games 2028 as a potential career endpoint, Djokovic shows no signs of slowing down. Having first competed at the Australian Open in 2005, the Serbian legend remains guided by ambition, experience, and an enduring hunger for greatness.
