Djokovic suffers injury just before the 2026 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic encounters difficulties early on in his quest for the 25th Grand Slam of his career.

The preparation process of Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open is disrupted as the Serbian player struggles with a neck injury, raising concerns about his fitness and ability to compete at the "Happy Slam".

Djokovic aims to win his 11th men’s singles title at Melbourne Park and extend his Grand Slam record. However, recent practice sessions indicate a tough road ahead. During training on January 14 at Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian trained with Jiri Lehecka but appeared to be not in peak physical condition.

This practice lasted only 12 minutes. His close physiotherapist, Miljan Amanovic, had to treat his neck injury directly on the court. This injury is believed to significantly affect the serving ability of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

These worrying signs follow a series of tournaments Djokovic has had to miss. Previously, he did not participate in the ATP 250 event in Adelaideand was also absent from last year's ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. The 38-year-old player is still scheduled to take part in an exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe before the official start of the 2026 Australian Open on January 18.

In this context, many tennis figures have expressed concerns about Djokovic’s late career stage. Mark Woodforde suggested that if Nole does not perform well at this year’s Australian Open, retirement could be a real possibility.

Sharing the same view, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash emphasized the challenge of balancing training and preserving fitness in the final phase of a career. According to him, Djokovic competing at a high level until now is extraordinary; however, Cash doubts Djokovic’s ability to overcome younger, fitter players like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in five-set matches.