Novak Djokovic withdraws from Adelaide: “Not quite physically ready”

Novak Djokovic will not compete at the Adelaide International next week, the world No. 4 announced on social media on Monday.

The 2007 and 2023 champion said he is “not quite physically ready to compete” as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered toward the end of the 2025 season.

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“To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” Djokovic wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.

“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.

“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.”

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The 38-year-old had been set to play as the top seed at the ATP 250 event. Instead, he will delay the start of his 2026 season and head straight to Melbourne without a tune-up tournament.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has long stated that the majors remain his top priority. Djokovic, who has won 10 of his titles at the Australian Open—a tournament record—already holds the Open era record for most singles majors. He is now chasing at least one more to claim the outright all-time record, which he currently shares with Australian great Margaret Court.

Djokovic played a limited schedule in 2025, entering just 13 tournaments. He reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slams, won ATP 250 titles in Geneva and Athens, and advanced to the final of the Miami Open.

His season, however, was also disrupted by injuries. At the Australian Open in January 2025, Djokovic suffered a left leg muscle tear and was forced to retire in his semifinal against Alexander Zverev. A recurring shoulder issue later in the year led to his withdrawal from the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin in November.

The Adelaide International begins January 12, with Tommy Paul now set to be the top seed following withdrawals from Djokovic and Great Britain's Jack Draper. Djokovic is next scheduled to compete at the Australian Open, which runs from January 18 to February 1.