Novak Djokovic confident of Melbourne glory at Australia Open despite Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner 'playing at a different level'

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Novak Djokovic remains full of hope as he begins his hunt for a landmark 25th Grand Slam title when he takes to the court at the Australian Open on Monday. Although he has not won a major title since 2023, Djokovic is expecting to compete with both the world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner for the crown. Watch the Australian Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Djokovic: Sinner and Alcaraz ‘playing on a different level’ but ‘I like my chances’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Novak Djokovic is not shy in believing he can win a record-extending 11th Australian Open title as he embarks on his 21st campaign in Melbourne after a series of fitness concerns.

The year's first Grand Slam will get underway on Sunday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - with Djokovic facing Spaniard Pedro Martinez in his opening match on Monday.

The 38-year-old Serbian has fallen at the semi-final stage in the past two season-opening Grand Slams, with Jannik Sinner dominating to win back-to-back titles.

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Although Djokovic will always lean on history in Melbourne and back himself to go all the way, he is aware that both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are far and away the strongest on the tour at the moment.

"I know that when I'm healthy and able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on any given day, I feel that I can beat anybody," he told reporters.

"If I don't have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn't be here, sitting here, talking to you guys and competing.

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Video credit: SNTV

"I still have the drive and, of course, I know that Sinner and Alcaraz are playing at a different level right now from everybody else, that's a fact.

"But that doesn't mean nobody else has a chance. I like my chances, always, in any tournament, particularly here."

Djokovic holds the most Grand Slam titles with 24 to his name - two more than Rafael Nadal and four more than Roger Federer - but has not tasted major success since his US Open victory in 2023.

His last significant triumph, though, was perhaps his most special, as he claimed Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games, beating Alcaraz in the final to add the long-awaited medal to his collection.

Watch as ecstatic Djokovic collapses to ground after beating Alcaraz for Olympic gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

Djokovic on 'tough' call to quit PTPA that is 'failing us'

Djokovic also spoke of his decision to step down from the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) earlier this month.

He co-founded the organisation in 2020 alongside Canadian player Vasek Pospisil but no longer feels it is serving its purpose.

"I was in the player council within the ATP structures and was president of that council for four or five years," he said.

"I know how the system works and I still have the opinion that the system is failing us and I think it has to change, in terms of the structure and in terms of how it's set up and how it's led.

"It was a tough call for me to exit the PTPA but I had to do that because I felt that my name was overused in pretty much every single article or communication channel. Whenever people think about the PTPA they think it's my organisation, which is the wrong idea from the very beginning.

"This was supposed to be everyone's, every player's organisation across the board, men and women. I also didn't like the way the leadership was taking direction over the PTPA, so I decided to step out.

"Does that mean that I'm not supporting PTPA? No, I am still wishing them all the best because I think there is room and there's a need for a 100% players-only representation organisation existing."

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open

All the action from Melbourne will be available live and on-demand via TNT Sports and its streaming platform discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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