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Djokovic targets history as oldest Open Era men's Slam champion
Novak Djokovic, 38, is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, which would make him the oldest men's champion in the Open Era. The Serb, tied with Margaret Court on 24 majors, insists the tournament is not a 'now or never' moment for his legacy.
Australian Open remains Djokovic's strongest opportunity
Djokovic enters the year's first major as a 10-time champion in Melbourne, positioning him as the favorite despite recent signs of decline. He reached the semi-finals of all four Slams in 2025 but fell short of adding to his tally.
The fourth seed downplayed the pressure of surpassing Court's record, emphasizing gratitude for his career. "I hope it comes to that [winning 25], but 24 is also not a bad number," he said. "I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I had."
Injury and rivalry shape Djokovic's path
Last year, Djokovic's Australian Open campaign ended in a semi-final retirement against Alexander Zverev after a grueling quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz. The injury underscored the physical toll of competing against younger rivals like Alcaraz, 22, and Jannik Sinner, 24, who have dominated recent majors.
Despite the challenges, Djokovic remains confident. "If I don't have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn't be here," he said. "When I'm healthy and able to put all the pieces together, I feel like I can beat anybody."
Djokovic exits PTPA, criticizes governance
The Serb revealed his decision to leave the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), the union-style body he co-founded in 2020. Djokovic cited frustration with the organization's direction and transparency, though he clarified he still supports its mission.
"I also didn't like the way the leadership was taking the direction of the PTPA. Does that mean I'm not supporting PTPA? No, I am. I am still wishing them all the best."
Novak Djokovic
His departure comes as the PTPA reaches an early settlement with Tennis Australia over a lawsuit alleging anti-competitive practices. The agreement could bolster the PTPA's case against other governing bodies, including the ATP and WTA tours.
First-round clash against Pedro Martinez
Djokovic opens his campaign on Monday night against Spain's Pedro Martinez on Rod Laver Arena. With Alcaraz and Sinner also in the draw, the tournament promises high-stakes battles for the sport's future.
