Novak Djokovic makes decision on skipping Australian Open as Serb confirms plans
Novak Djokovic has already committed to competing at the 2027 Australian Open amid speculation over his future in tennis. Djokovic reached the final of the same Grand Slam earlier this year, but the runner-up finish has so far proven one of few highlights of an otherwise difficult season. His final Slam appearance this year resulted in a first-round exit at the US Open, with Djokovic looking a shadow of the player who started 2026 on a high.
The Serb did reveal he’d been struggling with health problems away from the court, which sparked fears he could walk away from the sport.
And when asked about the immediate future at the Swiss Indoors, Djokovic was insistent that he doesn’t plan to go anywhere just yet. Speaking to Sportal, he remarked: “This year I’d like to go to Turin [for the ATP Finals]. I’ve got a chance, we’ll see.
The other motivation for adding the tournament to this indoor season is that I think it’ll be easier for me physically indoors, as there’s no heat, sun, or the external factors I face when I play outside.
“I’ll be playing in the Six Kings exhibition in Saudi Arabia. For next season, I know for sure I’ll be in Australia. Right now, the focus is on finishing the season as best I can.”
Djokovic did make a triumphant return to the court following a break after his US Open disappointment. He won the China Open, albeit after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified in the semi-final and Alex de Minaur retired in the final.
The 24-time major winner came crashing back down to earth in his next tournament, with Djokovic knocked out in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. He’s set for a return to action this week and will play Ugo Humbert in the first round of the Swiss Indoors Basel.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, the 39-year-old said: “I haven’t played in Basel for 15 years and a lot of things have happened since then that I’m proud of both personally and professionally. I’m really excited to be here.
It wasn’t planned like that at first, then I said I would come here before Paris. I love playing indoors, especially now at this stage of my career, extreme heat is not something I like.
“Playing indoors is better, I can save more energy and I hope I will feel good. The beginning of the tournament is always important for me, in tournaments like this where the draw is small, where a tough opponent comes right away. I’ve been training well in the last few days, I’m glad to be here in Switzerland.
“You have Federer, Wawrinka who will say ‘goodbye’ this week, Hingis, you have left quite a good tennis legacy, tennis is understood here and I am really glad to be here where it is being inherited.
