Thoughts of an unprecedented 25th major risk becoming all-consuming for Novak Djokovic as he limbers up, locks in and prepares to launch his 21st Australian Open campaign.
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At 38, the Serbian knows it is entirely counterproductive and more pertinent that he takes stock of what he has accomplished, rather than what he hasn’t – which, let’s be honest, is not much.
A semifinalist at all four Slams last year, Djokovic returns as the fourth seed in 2026 and opens his campaign in a Rod Laver Arena night session against Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Monday.
“I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I'm possibly achieving,” Djokovic said. “I mean, 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, you know, release some of that unnecessary pressure.
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“I mean, obviously there is always pressure and expectations, but, you know, I don't think it's needed for me to really go far in terms of make-it-or-break-it type of thing, [a] now-or-never type of mentality. I don't feel it's necessary. Neither does that allow me to excel and perform my best.”
The lively younger duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have done their level best to enter the chat for future greatness and in the process kept Djokovic at bay since he elevated his major tally to 24 at the 2023 US Open.
That’s not to say a man who knows more about winning at majors more than any other is without his chances.
“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,” he said.
“Last couple of years also semifinals, ’24 semifinals, ’25. Had a great win against Carlos in quarters last year.
“Look, 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 here.”
Djokovic hasn’t stumbled in the first round at Melbourne Park in two decades. The 71st-ranked Martinez need not be reminded of that statistic to know what he is up against as he prepares for the pair’s first encounter.
Coco's ready
In the day’s opening clash at Rod Laver Arena, third seed Coco Gauff kickstarts her seventh Australian Open campaign against Kamilla Rakhimova.
After a United Cup campaign in which she won three of her four singles matches, including against second-ranked Iga Swiatek, Gauff has played her way into form ahead of a second meeting with the world No.55.
Rakhimova, who started representing her mother’s native Uzbekistan in December, fell to Gauff in Beijing last year.
While at opposite ends of their careers, Gauff shares a similar outlook to Djokovic’s approach to success.
“It's like a fine line of playing like your life depends on it but also not playing like your life depends on it,” last year’s Roland Garros champion said. “I try to give it my all, and when I leave the court, just knowing I gave it my all, and regardless of results, I still have things I can look forward to.
“I think at the beginning of my career I wrapped myself too much into the results of part of my identity. I no longer do that. I still get disappointed, but it doesn't change the way I view myself.”
Second seed Swiatek knows a thing or two about juggling expectations and not becoming too caught up in results, and that need for balance has only become more acute since she lifted the Wimbledon trophy last August.
The Pole could become just the 11th woman to complete the career Grand Slam this fortnight but has no intentions of looking beyond her first round against Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue on Monday night.
A semifinalist at Melbourne Park last year, Swiatek beat the world No.130 in Beijing last year.
Australia’s leading hope, Alex de Minaur, may have breathed a slight sigh of relief after his initial first-round opponent, former world No.6 Matteo Berrettini, withdrew due to injury.
The sixth seed trails 2-3 in his head-to-head with the Italian but is unbeaten in two clashes against Berrettini’s replacement, lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald, whom he will face in the second match at Rod Laver Arena.
Both clashes against the 113th-ranked American – in 2018 and 2022 – went the distance although De Minaur has risen from world No.34 when they last met to end each of the past three seasons in the top 10.