Novak Djokovic is sitting out Adelaide to gear up for Melbourne. The 38-year-old withdrew from next week’s Adelaide International, the key Australian Open tuneup, saying he is not yet ready to compete. The decision was reported on Monday (Jan. 5–6 context) and immediately shifts attention to his preparation for the season’s first Grand Slam, which starts Jan. 18.

Djokovic’s message to fans was clear and candid. “To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week. It’s personally very disappointing to me, as I have such great memories of winning the title there two years ago. I was really excited about returning as it truly felt like playing at home,” he said. He added: “My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia.”

Why Djokovic is skipping the Adelaide International

This is a measured choice from a veteran who knows his body and the calendar. Djokovic has not played an official match in almost two months. His last outing was a win over Lorenzo Musetti in the Hellenic Championship final in Athens on Nov. 8. That gap can be useful for healing and training, but it also means match sharpness is a question. Trying to force that rhythm in a week could be risky so close to Melbourne.

At 38, recovery windows matter. The risk-reward of a warm-up event is very different than it was a decade ago. Adelaide offers reps and confidence, but the Australian Open is the prize. Skipping now suggests he’s prioritizing freshness, not just fitness.

“Is this a red flag for Melbourne or smart game management?”

All eyes on Melbourne: Australian Open implications

The Australian Open begins Jan. 18, and Djokovic’s record there is unmatched: 10 titles, most recently in 2023. He is the sport’s standard bearer with 24 men’s major singles trophies, and when he commits his full focus to a Slam, it changes the field’s psychology.

There are recent caveats. He left the 2025 Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev after one set due to a torn hamstring muscle. He also pulled out of the ATP Finals for the second year in a row, citing a shoulder issue. Those notes don’t define him, but they explain why caution in early January may be wise.

Djokovic is ranked No. 4 at the moment, sitting behind Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Zverev. That pecking order adds intrigue to the draw. If Djokovic arrives healthy, his positioning could set up blockbuster matches earlier than usual. If he’s still searching for top gear, the younger top trio will sense a chance.

“At 38, every decision is about the majors—Adelaide was always expendable.”

Form and fitness: the numbers behind the choice

Strip away the noise and the numbers still shine. Djokovic owns 101 career singles titles and posted a 39–11 record in 2025, reaching the semifinals at all four majors. That’s elite consistency by any era’s standard.

Yet those same 2025 headlines also include a torn hamstring in Melbourne and a shoulder issue that led to skipping the ATP Finals. Put together, it’s a picture of a champion who can still reach the deep end of every Slam, but who must manage the grind more carefully than before. Skipping Adelaide is part of that management.

Why Adelaide mattered to Djokovic

Djokovic’s note about Adelaide “feeling like home” was not lip service. He won the event two years ago, and it set a tone for his Australian swing. For fans and organizers, his presence boosts crowds and TV attention. His absence is a blow to the tournament, no question.

That’s why his words carried both apology and purpose. He’s disappointed to miss it; he’s determined to be right for Melbourne. For a player who built his career on perfect timing, the message fits: conserve now, peak later.

“My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia.”

“Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverev won’t mind the mystery around his fitness.”

Beyond the baseline: leadership and focus

There’s also the off-court angle. Djokovic recently cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, the group he co-founded. It hints at a streamlined year: fewer distractions, more focus. For someone chasing yet another Australian Open crown, that matters. Every small decision can add up by the second week of a Slam.

What to watch next

Melbourne will provide the answers. How does Djokovic move? Does the serve pop? How does the shoulder and hamstring hold up over best-of-five? Practice videos and early-round matches will be read like tea leaves. The main-draw start on Jan. 18 doesn’t leave much slack, but it does give him a clear runway to tune up on his terms.

His rivals will prepare for the version of Djokovic they respect most: the one who saves his best for the biggest stages. If that version walks into Rod Laver Arena in week two, form and rankings will matter less than his aura. If not, the door swings wider for Alcaraz, Sinner, and Zverev.

Bottom line

Djokovic’s withdrawal from Adelaide is less a shock than a signal. It says he’s thinking long-term, not chasing short-term reps. It says health over headlines. And it says the Australian Open still sits at the center of his season. We’ll see him in Melbourne soon enough. The only question is which Novak shows up—and whether that is still enough to tilt the entire tournament.