Djokovic Addresses Retirement Plans, PTPA Disputes, and Concerning Australian Open Preparations

On Saturday, at the 2026 Australian Open pre-tournament press conference, ten-time champion Djokovic expressed his gratitude for having another chance to compete in the event. Last year in Melbourne, Djokovic reached the semifinals but was forced to retire mid-match due to an unfortunate injury, handing the victory to Zverev. Besides the injury issues, Alcaraz and Sinner have remained his biggest obstacles on the path to his 25th Grand Slam title. During an interview in Melbourne, Djokovic admitted that in the latter stages of Grand Slams, he feels his legs lack a bit of explosiveness. Nevertheless, he is ready to give his all in pursuit of his 25th major championship.

Despite ongoing speculation about his imminent retirement, Djokovic firmly believes he can still defeat any opponent on any day and in any setting. Recently, at a press conference, the Serbian discussed various topics including his outlook on the future, off-court institutional battles, and a minor physical setback he encountered before arriving in Melbourne.

Questions about retirement often surround every sporting legend, and Djokovic is no stranger to them, but he refuses to set a timeline for himself. Recently, 17-time Grand Slam doubles champion Mark Woodforde sparked discussion by suggesting that if Djokovic performs poorly at the Australian Open, he wouldn’t be surprised if the Serbian star decided to retire. So how does Djokovic respond to these recurring headlines over the years?

“Of course, I’ve been asked many times about when my career will end, but right now I don’t want to talk or think about it because I’m here, and I’m still competing. When that day truly comes and it matures in my mind, I will tell you, and then we can discuss the farewell tour together. But for now, I’m still world number four, competing at the highest level, and I don’t see the need to focus on those discussions.”

Essentially, the 38-year-old tennis icon acknowledges the changes that come with age but refuses to hide his current ambitions. Djokovic’s message is clear: his career is not over, and he doesn’t want to be seen as someone who has reached the finish line. Besides addressing retirement rumors, Djokovic also spoke about some widely discussed off-court issues recently.

Djokovic co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) in 2020 with Pospisil, aiming to create a player-led voice to challenge the long-standing power structures in tennis. However, in 2025, the organization filed a major lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, and ITF, accusing them of anti-competitive behavior, which significantly shifted the PTPA’s direction. Djokovic later admitted he felt uncomfortable with the legal rhetoric, considering some of the language “too strong.”

Previously, American tennis legend John McEnroe also commented on Djokovic’s split with the PTPA. At the Australian Open press conference, the Serbian addressed the topic directly again and revealed the key reasons behind his decision.

“Leaving the PTPA was a tough choice for me, but I had to do it because I felt my name was being used, even overused, appearing in nearly every article and media outlet. Many people automatically assumed the PTPA was my organization, but from the very beginning, that was a misconception.”

Djokovic emphasized that the PTPA was intended to represent all players—both men and women—not to serve as a personal vehicle for him. “I also didn’t agree with the leadership’s direction for the PTPA, so I decided to step away. Does that mean I don’t support the PTPA? No, I still do. I wish them all the best because I believe our tennis ecosystem truly needs an organization 100% composed of players and representing their interests.”

Additionally, he mentioned that the lawsuit was another significant reason for his departure, “I don’t agree with everything in the lawsuit, so I chose not to be among the players suing, which was a very important factor.” He also hopes the PTPA’s vision remains as clear and inclusive as it was at its founding in 2020. Although McEnroe expressed surprise at Djokovic’s exit, the Serbian star reiterated his wish for the organization’s success, just without him being its “face.”

Turning attention back to the 2026 Australian Open, Djokovic reflected on the past weeks and his journey toward what he calls the “happy Grand Slam.”

Last year, Djokovic played roughly 47 matches, winning 37 of them. Although he reached the semifinals in all four Grand Slams, he faced the reality that for the first time since 2017, he did not make it to at least one Grand Slam final. Still, he captured two titles and achieved a remarkable milestone—winning his 100th and 101st ATP singles titles. Even so, we saw several moments last year when his physical condition seemed somewhat strained.

The start of the 2026 season was also challenging, as Djokovic had to withdraw from the Adelaide International because he felt his body was “not fully ready” for the event.

Reflecting on the end of the 2025 season and the impact of withdrawing from Adelaide, Djokovic said, “I finished last season in the first week of November, so it’s been a while since I played any matches or official tournaments. I took some rest and obviously spent more time recovering physically because over the past few years, I realized that’s the biggest change for me. Recovery takes longer, and resetting and rebuilding are equally important.”

Regarding his temporary withdrawal from the Adelaide International, he added, “Unfortunately, I had a minor setback that prevented me from competing in Adelaide. That’s why I couldn’t participate physically.” However, Djokovic assured fans that everything is progressing well now, and he is very much looking forward to competing in Melbourne.

In any case, he remains grounded and focused on the present, driven by the competitive fire that has defined his legendary career. So, do you think he will win the Australian Open title this year? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Huohua)