With the Australian Open looming, Novak Djokovic was expected to play at next week’s Adelaide International. Instead, the Serbian has opted to withdraw from the event, stating that he is “not quite physically ready to compete.” The 38-year-old confirmed the decision on Monday, bringing about an abrupt change to his early-season plans.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Djokovic explained his situation clearly. He wrote: “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 feels 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.” His priority, once again, remains the season’s first Grand Slam, where he won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles.

The withdrawal came as a surprise, as just last month, the tournament organisers had announced his return to Adelaide. The timing also raised concern, as Djokovic has not played an official match in nearly two months.

His last competitive appearance came on November 8. He defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the Hellenic Championship final in Athens. Soon after, he pulled out of the ATP Finals for the second year in a row, citing a shoulder injury.

Later, speaking to Sky Sports at the Qatar Grand Prix, Djokovic discussed his recovery. He presented his new Regenesis recovery pod. He even explained why the technology mattered to him and how it linked to his ongoing physical struggles.

Despite nearly two months of rehabilitation, Djokovic will not return to Adelaide. He has won the ATP 250 title there in 2007 and 2023. Two years ago, he beat Daniil Medvedev and Sebastian Korda in the semi-final and final.

Instead, Djokovic will delay the start of his 2026 season. He will head straight to Melbourne without a tune-up event. The Adelaide International begins on January 12, with Tommy Paul now the top seed. Djokovic is next scheduled to play at the Australian Open from January 18 to February 1.

With his withdrawal from the Adelaide International, Djokovic has also recently announced his departure from his own organisation, a move that has sent shockwaves across the tennis fraternity.

Novak Djokovic ends his PTPA chapter

Before withdrawing from the Adelaide International, Djokovic announced a major decision on Sunday. He confirmed that he is stepping away from the PTPA, the organisation he co-founded five years ago. The move signals a clear shift in his long-running mission to influence how professional tennis is governed.

Djokovic explained his decision in a post shared on X on Sunday evening. He wrote: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.”

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The news caught the tennis world off guard. When Novak Djokovic launched the PTPA at the 2020 US Open, the message was clear and deliberate. He publicly positioned himself against the ATP’s leadership model, calling for an independent players’ body with greater influence and fairer revenue distribution.

Djokovic soon resigned from the ATP Players’ Advisory Committee, arguing that meaningful change required separation, not reform from within. His vision centered on stronger representation for players across all levels, not just the sport’s elite.

Over time, however, the PTPA took on a more confrontational role. As disputes with tennis authorities escalated, Djokovic gradually stepped back. Those around him grew frustrated that every clash was attributed to him, even when his intent was balance rather than conflict.

Now, Djokovic’s focus shifts fully to the Australian Open. He will arrive without a warm-up tournament, with a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam in reach. Melbourne has long been his strongest stage. The question is whether he can once again turn familiarity into history.