Djokovic Ramps Up 2026 Bid for No. 25 With Brisbane Tune-Up as Sinner, Alcaraz Set Pace

At 38, the 24-time major winner is adding a Brisbane tune-up to sharpen for an Australian Open field led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Overview

Tennis World USA reports Novak Djokovic will play the Brisbane ATP 250 in the week before Melbourne to rebuild match rhythm ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.
His off-season has featured training blocks in Greece and Dubai, the addition of a new team member to address recent injuries, and practice sessions with Denis Shapovalov.
Analysts Paul Annacone, Coco Vandeweghe and Brett Haber question his ability to win seven best‑of‑five matches at a Slam at this stage, though none fully writes him off.
Sinner and Alcaraz have split the last eight Grand Slams and contested the previous three major finals, reinforcing their status as the favorites for AO 2026.
Djokovic reached all four major semifinals in 2025 but lost to either Sinner or Alcaraz in three, highlighting the central obstacle to a record‑extending 25th title.