Novak Djokovic returns to the Australian Open this week. It is certain that he is prepared and capable of defeating Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title. The 37-year-old former world number one’s weaknesses were shown last year. He failed to win a major event for the first time since 2017, despite winning Olympic gold. The Serb’s vulnerability was exposed again.
Last week, American Reilly Opelka knocked him out of the Brisbane International in the quarter-finals. However, another great Rafael Nadal joined Roger Federer in retirement. Djokovic is determined to prove he still has what it takes to compete with the youthful brigade. Djokovic has hired former rival Andy Murray as coach. It was an eye-catching move that he hopes will provide him with a competitive advantage.
Few would bet against Novak Djokovic on Melbourne Park’s blue hardcourts, where he has won a record 10 titles. Another would give him 25 major crowns, moving him ahead of Margaret Court as the undisputed leader. Djokovic’s energy and skill will be put to the ultimate test against world number one and defending champion Sinner, who is only 23 years old, and Alcaraz, a four-time Slam winner at the age of 21.
Novak Djokovic Struggles for Relevance
While Djokovic warmed up in Brisbane, Sinner of Italy and Alcaraz of Spain chose not to compete, focusing on exhibition matches in Melbourne this week. Sinner won his first Slam in Australia last year, rallying from two sets down to defeat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. It set off a historic season in which he became the first player since Roger Federer in 2005 to go the entire year without losing in straight sets.
He reached the semifinals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon won the US Open and ATP Finals and rose to the top of the rankings. Djokovic is now ranked seventh in the world. He said, “The way I’m feeling, I still think that I can go strong for years to come. I still love this sport and I still love competing.”
