MELBOURNE: Just days before the first Grand Slam of 2026 gets underway, Novak Djokovic’s preparations have been thrown into uncertainty.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was forced to abandon a practice session on Wednesday after experiencing discomfort in his neck, raising fresh concerns about his fitness ahead of the Melbourne showpiece.
Djokovic had been scheduled to train with world No. 4 Daniil Medvedev at Rod Laver Arena, but the session lasted only around 12 minutes.
Neither player appeared to be working at full intensity before the Serbian struggled with his serve and required on-court treatment from long-time physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic. The practice did not resume.
The Serbian star has not played a competitive match since the Hellenic Championship in Greece on November 8 and recently withdrew from the Adelaide International, explaining that he was “not quite physically ready to compete.”
Djokovic is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title, but his path could include difficult matchups against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Former Australian Open champion Pat Cash has suggested that Djokovic may find it challenging to endure multiple five-set encounters at this stage of his career, noting that early exits by younger rivals could ease his route.
Balancing intense preparation with injury management is likely to be Djokovic’s biggest test in the coming days.
Last year, the Serbian hinted at the possibility of an earlier-than-expected retirement, acknowledging that the physical toll of elite tennis and recurring injuries could shorten his career despite his ambition to continue through the 2028 Olympic Games.
Although Djokovic captured a long-sought Olympic gold medal in Paris, injuries continued to disrupt his season. He was eventually forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals in Turin, bringing his campaign to an early end.
Confirming his withdrawal on social media, Djokovic expressed disappointment while thanking fans for their unwavering support.
“I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best, but after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury,” he wrote. “I’m truly sorry to the fans who were hoping to see me play your support means so much.
