Djokovic Aims for 25th Major at Australian Open, Defies ‘Now or Never’ Mindset

Novak Djokovic is preparing for the 2024 Australian Open, where he aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam singles title. This comes after a competitive couple of years marked by the rising talents of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic’s Journey Towards 25th Major Title

At 38, Djokovic has emerged as one of the most decorated players in tennis history. He holds 24 major championships, a record for the Open era, and shares the all-time record with Margaret Court. His last Grand Slam victory was at the 2023 US Open.

In preparation for the Australian Open, Djokovic has made significant changes to his approach. He withdrew from his scheduled tuneup tournament to ensure he is at his best for the major competition. “I’m lacking a little bit of juice in my legs,” he admitted, emphasizing the need to remain as pain-free as possible.

The Rising Stars: Sinner and Alcaraz

During the past two years, Djokovic has faced tough competition from Alcaraz and Sinner, losing three out of four Grand Slam meetings against them. Sinner has recently claimed two Australian titles, while Alcaraz aims for his first title at Melbourne to complete his career Grand Slam.

• 2023 US Open: Djokovic’s last major win.
• Australian Open Schedule: First match against Pedro Martinez.
• Current Seed: Fourth seed, placed in the same half as Alcaraz.

Djokovic acknowledged the current dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, stating, “They are playing on a different level right now.” Despite this, he maintains a positive outlook for his chances in the tournament.

A Change in Mindset

Finding a balance between pressure and performance, Djokovic has chosen to adopt a healthier mindset. He expressed that the “now-or-never” mentality hindered his ability to perform at his peak. “Twenty-four is also not a bad number,” he remarked, highlighting a more relaxed approach.

Recent Developments

Djokovic has also made headlines outside the court, recently parting ways with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an organization he co-founded. He stated that he felt misaligned with its current direction but continues to support the idea of player representation in tennis.

As Djokovic steps onto the court of Rod Laver Arena Monday night, all eyes will be on him. Fans are eager to see if he can overcome the youthful competition and capture his 25th title at the Australian Open.