Djokovic sets off alarms by withdrawing from training session with pain

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 14 Jan 2026 | 08.27

Novak Djokovic, pain in training. Photo: gettyimages

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Reaching peak performance at 38 is almost a utopia, but Novak Djokovic is bravely challenging the passing of time. There are high expectations to see what the Serbian is capable of in this 2026 Australian Open, although his arrival in Melbourne has not been as smooth as expected, experiencing some discomfort during his training sessions.

The tennis level is still there, intact and ready to shine once the stars align, that is, when his body allows it. Novak Djokovic hopes to compete at the highest level in a Grand Slam tournament, something he didn't manage last season, yet he reached four semifinals. He is aware that he needs to reduce efforts in the early rounds to bring his best game to potential matches with the world's best, and this 2026 Australian Open stands as a new opportunity for him.

Djokovic training at a very slow pace, showing neck pains and fatigue

His last-minute absence from the Adelaide tournament was not good news, and neither were his initial training sessions in Melbourne. On Tuesday, he hit some balls with Lehecka, showing signs of excessive fatigue and struggling to catch his breath after each exchange, which was not significant that same day upon landing but became much more noticeable on Wednesday, with a double session raising doubts.

And indeed, he had a training session at the Rod Laver Arena with Daniil Medvedev, but at a very slow pace and far from the physical level that some of his rivals are already displaying in training. While some, like Sinner, are practicing intense sets, Novak Djokovic has barely engaged in some playful hitting, avoiding any competition-like rhythm and trying to preserve what appears to be incipient pains.

He lost 7-5 in that training set, far from a competitive pace, and later in the afternoon, returned to the court for an evening session. It was on court 10 and lasted barely 12 minutes, needing attention from his physiotherapist due to severe neck pain, which barely allowed him to serve. All this has raised alarms among Djokovic's fans in this 2026 Australian Open. The case will need to be monitored in the coming days.

Novak Djokovic practicing with Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open.#AusOpen #ATP pic.twitter.com/frCSw3RSZA
— Victor Okechukwu (@Uzochuwu1) January 14, 2026