Novak Djokovic will miss the Adelaide tournament to focus on the Australian Open. ⓒ AFP = News 1
(Seoul = News 1) Reporter Seo Jang-won = Novak Djokovic (38, Serbia), who is trying to win the Grand Slam 25 times, will not participate in the Adelaide International, a prelude to the Australian Open.
Djokovic announced on social media on the 6th (Korean time) that he had given up participating in the Adelaide tournament, saying, “I am not ready to play yet.”
This tournament, held in Adelaide, Australia, is held every year in early January prior to the opening of the Australian Open. Players participating in the Australian Open also participate to check their sense of performance and condition.
However, Djokovic decided to skip this tournament to focus on the Australian Open.
“Unfortunately, I am not in perfect shape to compete in Adelaide next week,” he said. “I had great memories of winning two years ago, so I was looking forward to participating with the feeling of competing in my hometown, but I am very disappointed.”
He added, “I am now focusing on preparing for the Australian Open. I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and meeting all the tennis fans in Australia.”
Djokovic, who holds the record for most wins in men’s singles major tournaments (24), has not played in an official match for two months since the Athens Games in November last year.
The Australian Open, his comeback stage, is a major tournament with which Djokovic has good memories.
Djokovic holds the record for the most wins, winning 10 times in the Australian Open alone. However, since winning the championship in 2023, they have all been eliminated in the semifinals for the past two consecutive years.
If Djokovic reclaims the throne at the Australian Open, he will set the milestone of winning 25 major tournaments, the most ever among men and women.
The Australian Open starts on the 18th.
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