Djokovic Begins Historic Australian Open Campaign Amid Fitness Questions

MELBOURNE, 19 January 2026 – Novak Djokovic, the most successful player in Australian Open history, will step onto Rod Laver Arena tonight to commence his 21st campaign at Melbourne Park. The 38-year-old Serbian, seeded fourth, faces Spain’s Pedro Martinez in the first round as he begins a renewed pursuit of an elusive record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title.

First-Round Test Under Lights

Djokovic’s opening match is scheduled as the night session finale, following the women’s second seed Iga Swiatek. The clash against world No. 71 Pedro Martinez is slated to commence not before 8:30 pm AEDT. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two players. Djokovic boasts a phenomenal 99-10 career record at the Australian Open, where he has lifted the trophy a record ten times. His last title came in 2023, and he was a semi-finalist in both 2024 and 2025.

The Quest for 25

The narrative surrounding Djokovic’s latest campaign is dominated by his chase for a 25th major crown, which would break his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history. It would also represent an 11th Australian Open victory. However, the path is blocked by the sport’s current dominant forces: world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, who have won the last eight Grand Slam titles between them. Djokovic is projected to meet Sinner in the semi-finals should both advance.

Physical Preparation and Concerns

The build-up to this year’s tournament has been atypical for the champion. Djokovic has not played a competitive match since winning the ATP 250 event in Athens in early November 2025. He withdrew from the Adelaide International earlier this month, stating he was “not quite physically ready to compete.” Reports from Melbourne this week noted he cut a training session short due to neck discomfort, raising questions about his readiness for a gruelling two-week major. Djokovic acknowledged the extended recovery time his body now requires but insisted, “generally I feel good and look forward to competing.”

Djokovic’s Perspective: No “Now or Never”

Facing constant queries about retirement, the 24-time major champion dismissed a “now or never” mentality. “I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I’m possibly achieving,” Djokovic said. “I mean, I hope it comes to that, but 24 is also not a bad number.” He affirmed his continued passion for competition, describing the adrenaline rush as “almost like a drug.” While acknowledging Sinner and Alcaraz are “playing on a different level,” he added, “that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”

Novak Djokovic: Key Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Novak Djokovic play today?

Djokovic is scheduled to play his first-round match against Pedro Martinez in the night session on Rod Laver Arena. The match will follow Iga Swiatek’s contest and is expected to start no earlier than 8:30 pm AEDT (7:30 pm AEST).

Can Djokovic win the 2026 Australian Open?

While considered the third favourite behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic’s unparalleled record in Melbourne makes him a perennial threat. His victory over Alcaraz in last year’s quarter-finals proved he can still defeat the very best at this tournament, though questions remain about his physical durability over seven best-of-five-set matches.

Has Djokovic announced his retirement?

No. Djokovic has actively dismissed retirement talk, stating he is “still living the dream” and has even mused about competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He recently stepped away from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which he co-founded, citing a misalignment with its current direction.