Novak Djokovic's Adelaide move ahead of Australian Open 2026 & the concerns it raises

Novak Djokovic will begin his 2026 season with the Adelaide International on January 12. The Serbian legend won his 92nd ATP singles title when he last played in the Adelaide event in 2023 and, two weeks later, claimed his record-breaking 10th Australian Open title. A potential win in Adelaide might bring some confidence to Djokovic's bid for his 25th Grand Slam title, but it also raises a couple of concerns.

After a winless 2024, the 38-year-old showed no signs of slowing down in 2025, winning his 100th and 101st ATP singles titles. Novak Djokovic also reached the semifinals of all four majors and finished the season as the World No. 4. However, he struggled with injuries and looked exposed against rising youngsters with fresh legs on the court throughout the season.

Fans witnessed the veteran taking longer breaks and requiring physios' help after getting physically exhausted in several matches of the second half of the 2025 season. Djokovic kept his calendar short, playing in just two non-major events after his win in Geneva in May.

Djokovic retired from the 2025 Australian Open after a muscle tear in the semifinal. His rivals, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, ended his bid for the 25th Grand Slam title in the semifinals of the remaining three majors in straight sets, exposing the Serb's struggles to maintain his energy and stamina in high-intensity matches.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is expected to kick off his 2026 season in Brisbane, two weeks before the Australian Open, but that raises some concerns. He is top-seeded in Adelaide and is expected to reach the final, which might lead to him spending a lot of energy before the Australian Open, which starts a week later. Going into the first major of the season, the chances of injury will be high for the two-time Adelaide winner.

Another concern is - how much will be left in the tank if Djokovic goes deep in Melbourne? Will it be enough to overcome Alcaraz and Sinner, who have skipped the Brisbane and Adelaide events, and are confirmed to begin the season in Melbourne? With just a week's gap between Adelaide and Melbourne events, the former World No. 1 is unlikely to be fully charged before the potential clash against his rivals at his favorite major.

Will Adelaide boost Novak Djokovic's confidence at the Australian Open?

Novak Djokovic clinched his 22nd Grand Slam title when he kicked off his season in Adelaide in 2023. He also reached the finals of all four majors, winning in Melbourne, Paris, and New York.

Starting the season in Adelaide provided many firsts to Novak Djokovic. He first played in Adelaide in 2007, where he won the tournament and later reached the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time, before losing to the eventual champion, Roger Federer. Djokovic also rose to the top 10 in the rankings, claimed his first Masters, entered his maiden major final, and finished the season as the World No. 3.

Novak Djokovic kicking off his 2026 season in Adelaide will be seen as a good sign by his fans, but it is likely to bring a few tears at the Australian Open.