Bullish Novak Djokovic dismissed talk of retirement and said he relishes his chances at the 2026 Australian Open. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic needs one more win to overtake Margaret Court for the all-time record. The Serbian star’s last Grand Slam victory came at the 2023 US Open and she has had a mixed time on the big stage.
in 2025 Djokovic reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slams last yearbut Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were stumbling blocks for him. The current top four has struggled with injuries over the past two years, pulling out of the Australian Open semi-finals against Alexander Zverev last year. Despite being 38, Djokovic reiterated that tennis still remains an adrenaline rush for him.
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Djokovic said he has no plans to retire yet and feels he is still competing at the highest level.
“I’m the last person who should complain or regret anything. I’ve broken almost every record that can be broken in this sport. I’m eternally grateful to tennis for giving me the opportunity to travel the world and really live my dream. Because this is my dream. I’m still living my dream to be honest. Achievements are here.. one of the highest motivations you can have. But that’s the only motivation and not the motivation for love.” It’s the interaction with the people, it’s the energy you feel when you go on the court, it’s almost like a drug to be honest.
“I’ve been asked a lot about when the final day is for me, but I don’t want to talk about it or think about it yet. I’m here. I’m competing. When it comes and matures in my head, I’ll share it with you and we can all discuss the farewell tour. Right now I’m still No. 4 in the world, I’m competing to attract attention at the highest level.”
“When I’m healthy, I can beat anybody”
Djokovic admitted that at the moment Sinner and Alcaraz are playing at a level above everyone else. But he pointed to his quarter-final win over the Spaniard last year and said he believed he could beat anyone on his day when healthy.
“I had a great win against Carlos in the quarterfinals last year. I know that when I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces together on the day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I didn’t have that confidence and belief, I wouldn’t be here. I still have the power.”
“I understand that Sinner and Alcaraz are playing at a different level than everyone else right now. That’s a fact. But that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance. I always like my chances,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic will begin his Australian Open campaign against Pedro Martinez on Monday 19 January.
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Published on:
January 17, 2026