‘I hope it’s not the last’: Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire as an Australian Open favourite pulls out because of injury

Novak Djokovic is tennis’ version of the Terminator, and there’s every chance the world No.1 will be back in Melbourne in 2025 despite turning 37 next year.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic is in Perth for the United Cup where he’ll crank up preparations for an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title, and the Serbian star “hopes” that 2024 won’t be his last summer Down Under as he looks to add to his staggering 24 grand slam titles.

The 36-year-old is coming off an incredible 2023 season where he won three of the four grand slams for the third time in his career, going down to young gun Carlos Alcaraz in an epic five-setter at Wimbledon.

Djokovic has dominated the hard courts in Melbourne where he’s won four of the past five Australian Opens, with 2022 the only exception when he was kicked out of the country for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

While his biggest rivals have been hampered by injuries over the years, Djokovic is as fit as ever and is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of yet another Australian summer.

Novak Djokovic is chasing an 11th Australian Open title. Picture: William West / AFP

“I hope it’s not the last,” he said in Perth.

“I always look forward to coming back to Australia and always felt like I played my best tennis over the years (here).

“I’m not really sure because I don’t really have a plan for what’s going to happen next year.

“I’m taking it season by season and seeing how far it takes me.”

Djokovic will lead the Serbian charge in Perth where they’ll face China and the Czech Republic in Group E.

His first match will be on Sunday night against Zhang Zhizhen.

“It feels great (to be back in Perth),” he said.

“It’s been a while since I was here last time.

“I’m happy always when I return back to Australia where I’ve had the biggest grand slam success of my career, so I’m excited to play.”

Karolina Muchova will miss the Australian Open. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Meanwhile, world No.8 Karolina Muchova has withdrawn from next month’s Australian Open due to a wrist injury.

The 2023 French Open finalist also made the semis at the US Open this year and reached the final four in Melbourne back in 2021.

“This isn’t my favourite thing to share especially at the start of a new season, but unfortunately the pain in a wrist came back in the middle of my tennis preparation,” she announced on Instagram.

“I therefore have to postpone the start of the season and fully heal my wrist first.”