Tennis star makes shock exit from Adelaide competition
One of the world’s greatest tennis stars has pulled out of a competition in Adelaide, one week before it is set to commence.
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week’s Adelaide International, stating he is not yet ready to return to competition as he focuses on his bid for an 11th Australian Open title, which begins just a week later.
“To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” Djokovic posted on Instagram.
“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 felt 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,” he added.
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The 38-year-old Djokovic is gearing up for his bid for a men’s record-extending 25th grand slam singles title at the Australian Open, with main draw play starting on January 18.
World No.4 Djokovic has not played a tour match since he defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the final to win the Athens ATP event in early November.
He last won the Australian Open in 2023 and fell in the semi-finals in 2024 and 2025, retiring injured against Alexander Zverev last year.
The Adelaide withdrawal comes a day after Djokovic announced he would be cutting ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, a group he co-founded, citing “ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented”.
