The number 21 symbolises the beginning of adulthood in some parts of the world. For Novak Djokovic, when he steps out to face Pedro Martinez in the first round on Monday, it marks the number of times he has competed at the Australian Open.
That makes him a tour veteran, not a chap intent on engaging in mischief as some 21-year-olds have been known to do.
At 38, he is a husband and father of two – who happens to be, arguably, one of the greatest athletes ever.
Having him back at his most successful Grand Slam can only be a bonus, especially since his two other “Big Three” peers who also elevated the sport, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, have long been retired.
When Djokovic pulled out of the Adelaide International, it must have sparked fears about his participation at AO 2026 but the 24-time Grand Slam winner looked in good order in beating Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match at his second home – Rod Laver Arena – earlier this week.
The competitive fire still shines like the Eiffel Tower at night, even if the Serb himself knows he faces an uphill battle against the current top two in the men’s game, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“I’m just grateful to have another shot, particularly here, a place where I won 10 Grand Slam titles and been consistently playing well and reaching the final stages,” Djokovic told reporters on Saturday.
“I know that when I'm healthy, when I'm able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I don't have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn't be … sitting here and talking to you guys or competing.
“I still have the drive. Of course, I understand that Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That's a fact, but that doesn't mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”
Few will need reminding that Djokovic overcame a hamstring injury to beat Alcaraz in the quarterfinals just last year.
However, as proof that he is no longer the 24-year-old who outlasted former coach Andy Murray in five hours and then Nadal in six in back-to-back outings for the 2012 title, Djokovic retired against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals after a lengthy first set.
The physical setbacks followed him at the majors – a function of his age, despite Djokovic taking care of his body (and mind) like few others have – but there was also bad luck at Wimbledon. He hurt himself while slipping near the end of his quarterfinal against Flavio Cobolli, leaving him hampered in the semifinals against Sinner.
Alcaraz then upended Djokovic in the US Open semifinals.
In the off-season, unsurprisingly, Djokovic took time to “rebuild” his body.
“I'm missing a little bit of juice in my legs to be able to compete with these guys at the later stages of a Grand Slam,” he said.
“But I'm definitely giving my best as I have in '25, and I think I have done very well and challenged them on their route to the title. I lost three out of four Slams against either Sinner or Alcaraz. We don't need to praise them too much. They have been praised enough,” he joked.
“We know how good they are, and they absolutely deserve to be where they are. They are the dominant forces of men's tennis at the moment. I'm still trying to be in the mix.”
Without putting heavy pressure on himself, that is, to land Grand Slam No. 25 and pull one ahead of Australia’s Margaret Court for the all-time lead.
“There has been a lot of talk about the 25th, but I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I'm possibly achieving,” said Djokovic.
“I hope it comes to that, but 24 is also not a bad number. I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I had.
“And also release some of that unnecessary pressure. Obviously there is always pressure and expectations, but I don't think it’s needed for me to really go far in terms of a ‘make it or break it’ type of thing … now-or-never type of mentality. Neither does that allow me to excel and perform my best.”
In Martinez, Djokovic encounters a 28-year-old Spaniard ranked No.71 whose best results have come on clay. In the absence of Alcaraz, Martinez shone for his country in the Davis Cup last year.
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Djokovic hopes for a smoother opening round than in the last two editions, when the young duo of Dino Prizmic and Nishesh Basavareddy took sets off him.
“I always love playing in Australia,” he said.
“Happy Slam, they call it for a reason.”