At 38 years old, performing at the highest level in professional tennis borders on the impossible. Yet Novak Djokovic, as he has done repeatedly over his two-decade career, continues to defy logic, age, and expectation. The 10x AO champion arrived in Melbourne with hopes of mounting one last heroic push at the Australian Open. But this year, his journey has already taken an uneasy turn.

Djokovic’s afternoon training session on Wednesday lasted barely 12 minutes. What began as a routine hit quickly spiraled into a worrying scene: Djokovic clutching at his neck, visibly wincing, and ultimately abandoning the session while his physiotherapist, Miljan Amanovic, immediately stepped in to treat him. The Serbian star could manage only a handful of serves before the pain became too much.

Fans watching from the side of Court 10 looked on in stunned silence. Novak Djokovic didn’t even attempt to push through it. He simply gathered his things and walked off. His arrival in Melbourne had already raised eyebrows. His preparations had been noticeably subdued, far from the high-intensity grind he’s known for. At times this week, he’s appeared tired, heavy-legged, and short of breath. That’s an unusual sight for an athlete whose body is typically a machine of precision and endurance.

This year he had already skipped the Adelaide International at the very last minute, admitting he was “not quite physically ready to compete.” Then on Tuesday, Djokovic appeared fatigued, often pausing during his practice session against Jiri Lehecka. But Wednesday’s double session was the real turning point.

In the morning, Novak Djokovic stepped onto Rod Laver Arena for a practice set with Daniil Medvedev. The pace was low. Djokovic avoided long exchanges, instead choosing controlled, simple rallies. Even at this reduced intensity, Medvedev won the set 7-5. By the afternoon, the signs had grown more troubling. What was planned as a second session ended immediately with the painful neck issue.

With just a handful of days remaining before the opening-round match, the 24-time Grand Slam champion now just needs to find enough physical stability to give himself a fighting chance in Melbourne. Talking about his chances at the 2026 AO, what do the experts have to say on this, though?

Tennis experts share thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s chances at the 2026 AO

Ten titles. Countless defining moments. And now, a quest for an almost mythical achievement: a 25th Grand Slam singles crown. But can he outclass the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and win the 2026 AO? Well, last year he reached all four Grand Slam finals, but each time - three against Alcaraz and Sinner, he ran into a wall.

After the 2025 US Open, Djokovic admitted, “I lost three out of four Slams in semis against these guys, so they're just too good, playing on a really high level. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas after the second set… best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it's the end stages of the Grand Slam.”

Despite his claims, ESPN analyst and former ATP pro Chris Eubanks believes that the Serb still holds the ability to disrupt the hierarchy, even at this age. “I think my dark horse, if I had to call it that, would have to be Novak.” He believes his extended time off is going to allow his body to heal and be 100 percent healthy going to Australia (although recent updates tell a different story).

Eubanks also pointed out last year’s AO, where Novak Djokovic dismantled Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. “Last year, we can't forget, he beat Carlos in the quarters, and he straight-up beat him. I think he played very smart tactically, got Carlos out of his rhythm. He was going for big second serves, ultra-aggressive second serve returns and just kind of took the flow out of the match for Carlos.”

He believes Djokovic is a good enough ball striker to put up a strong show against in-form Alcaraz this year. “I could see him finding a way to kind of disrupt that rhythm again because Carlos gives him a little bit of time to play, gives him variety, and that allows Novak to get into it.” Eubanks called Nole a potential “disruptor” and “the greatest of all time.”

Meanwhile, others like Mark Woodforde believe that if Djokovic doesn’t post a good result at the AO, he could possibly take a retirement. Even Pat Cash raised a few question marks recently. 
Talking about Novak Djokovic, he added, “It will be really interesting to see how he goes at the Australian Open. Has he played enough matches? Has he trained hard enough? Is he saving his body just for the matches? And if so, will that work? I don't see him beating Alcaraz and Sinner in back-to-back five-set matches, and that's his problem. He can get to the semi-final again, but then he is likely to have a familiar problem.” What are your thoughts on Djokovic’s chances at the 2026 AO?

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Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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