Novak Djokovic is back on the court! After enjoying throughout the world for a couple of weeks, the 24-time Major winner has started his off-season preparation at the luxurious Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel at home in Athens.
Novak entered the iconic 5-star resort on the Athenian Riviera in Vouliagmeni, shaping up his strokes ahead of more serious action in the upcoming weeks. At the moment, Djokovic does not plan to compete ahead of the Australian Open.
The legend has not entered Brisbane, Hong Kong, Adelaide or Auckland, but that can easily change with a quick wild card. At this stage of his career, the Serb is thinking twice before entering the events below a Major level.
He will try to preserve his body more efficiently in 2026 and give himself a chance to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on the most notable stages and chase his 25th Major crown.
At 38, Novak is still among the world's best players. He wrapped up his 17th year-end top-4 season and left Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 16. Despite a reduced schedule, Djokovic left much younger players behind and proved his everlasting passion and greatness.
More importantly, the veteran reached all four Major semi-finals in 2025, dealing with physical issues but standing in the latter stages in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
He failed to pass Sinner or Alcaraz, but no one can write him off on the most notable events in the season ahead of us, despite turning 39 in May. Whileachieving everything, Novak remains eager to chase notable trophies and challenge the most dominant figures of men's tennis.
The Serb will prepare for Melbourne, hoping to leave shoulder issues behind and embrace another deep run at the tournament where he lifted ten trophies between 2008 and 2023.
Djokovic reached the semi-final at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025, losing to Jannik Sinner and retiring to Alexander Zverev. If he avoids marathons in the first week and maintains his health, Novak will be a dangerous rival for everyone at the first Major of the season.
