In a significant development for the tennis world, Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Adelaide International tournament. The Serbian tennis legend announced his decision through social media platforms, stating he lacks the necessary physical preparedness to compete at the required level.
The 38-year-old champion had intended to utilize the Adelaide event, scheduled to commence January 12, as a strategic preparation platform for the Australian Open. Djokovic seeks to claim an unprecedented 11th title at Melbourne Park alongside pursuing his elusive 25th Grand Slam championship.
Addressing his global fanbase via Instagram, Djokovic expressed personal disappointment: “To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete next week. This decision proves particularly disappointing given my triumphant victory here two years ago and the overwhelming support that makes this venue feel like home.”
The world’s fourth-ranked player hasn’t participated in official tour matches since his victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens final during early November. This competitive hiatus occurs amidst a notable shift in men’s tennis dynamics, where emerging talents Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have increasingly dominated the tour.
Djokovic’s competitive record shows remarkable consistency with semifinal appearances across all four majors in 2025, though he hasn’t captured a Grand Slam title since his 2023 US Open victory. This withdrawal follows another significant announcement regarding his departure from the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, citing concerns about organizational transparency and representation issues.