Novak Djokovic’s 2026 Australian Open campaign has started on a divided note, after it came to light that the Serb had to cut short his practice session in Melbourne after an injury scare.
Djokovic will be seeded No. 4 at the Australian Open this year, behind Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. A tournament he has won 10 times in the past, the 38-year-old will also be looking to win his 25th Grand Slam title this month.
Unfortunately, things have not been smooth so far. First, the 24-time Major winner had to withdraw from Adelaide because of fitness concerns, and will start his Melbourne campaign without any warm-up tournaments under his belt. Then, according to latest reports, he had to stop practicing after just 12 minutes in his latest session, the result of a neck injury that required physio intervention.
Yet, fans are not entirely convinced it is a real problem for Novak Djokovic. Some felt that it was just him ‘faking’ injuries as a strategy, while others were more confident that even with the injury he could still be one of the favorites for the title.
“Still will reach the quarters with 13 medicals a match before losing to a legitimate contender,” one fan wrote.
“Faking injuries in practice sets. Tennis ain’t ready for 2026 Djokovic,” another said.
Here are a few more reactions from fans:
“Ah the acting games have begun. And as the years before the kids will fall for it,” one replied.
“We’ll look back at this story in wonder in 2 weeks time when he’s won his 25th major title,” another commented.
“Gotta appreciate the consistency with which he pulls this off year after year,” one fan said.
“Idk why he’s forcing this, Unc pls go spend time with your kids,” another wrote.
Djokovic’s last title at the Australian Open came in 2023. In the last two years, he reached the semifinals, but could not proceed any further. In 2025, most notably, he had to retire mid-way through the battle against Alexander Zverev after playing just one set.
Novak Djokovic might have to beat both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to win Australian Open 2026
At the 2026 Australian Open, because of the seedings, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be placed on either half of the draw. Novak Djokovic, being the No. 4 seed, will therefore be in the half with one of them, projected to face them in the semifinals. This means, to safely assume, he will have to beat both Alcaraz and Sinner if he wants to lift his 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne this year.
2024 and 2025 have been Sinner-Alcaraz all the way when it comes to Grand Slams on the ATP Tour, with the duo winning eight out of the eight Majors. Alcaraz won four of them, while Sinner took the other four. At the Australian Open this year, Sinner is the defending champion, having defeated Alexander Zverev in the final in 2025.
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