Djokovic Withdraws from Adelaide Tournament to Focus on Australian Open Preparation

Following a lengthy layoff, Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the upcoming Adelaide International, citing a need to concentrate on his readiness for the Australian Open. The 38-year-old tennis superstar hasn't competed in an official match since his victory over Lorenzo Musetti at the Hellenic Championship in Athens last November. Djokovic then announced his withdrawal from the ATP Finals, which marked the second consecutive year he missed the event, this time due to a shoulder injury. In a statement on social media, Djokovic expressed his disappointment, saying, 'To all my fans in Adelaide, I'm not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week.' He added, 'My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia.' This development comes on the heels of Djokovic's decision to sever ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, an organization he co-founded that has been at odds with the sport's governing bodies. As Djokovic sets his sights on claiming a record 25th Grand Slam title and an 11th Australian Open crown, the tournament's organizers have announced a 16% increase in the prize fund, bringing it to a historic high of AUS $111.5m. The singles champions will each receive AUS $4.15m, a significant boost from last year's AUS $3.5m. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated, 'This 16% increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level.' With the Australian Open scheduled to take place from January 18 to February 1, Djokovic is poised to make a strong comeback, and fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports or stream it with NOW.