Novak Djokovic’s challengers at this year’s Australian Open have been told that unless they mentally rise to the occasion, then they can forget about stopping him from winning the season-opening Grand Slam.
Defending champion Djokovic is gunning for an astonishing 11th title at Melbourne Park and victory would help him to collect a record-extending 25th major title, which would see him move three clear of Rafael Nadal.
There are several pretenders to his crown with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner favourite to end his streak at the hard-court Grand Slam.
However, it will take some doing as Djokovic has not lost at Melbourne Park since 2018 when he was stunned in the fourth round by Hyeon Chung. He has won the title on his last four visits with the 2022 trophy the only one missing as he was deported from Australia over his unvaccinated status.
Although Alcaraz, Medvedev and Sinner have notched up significant wins over the Serbian in the past, tennis great John McEnroe has a warning for them all.
Seven-time major winner McEnroe states that it is almost a lost cause for Djokovic’s rivals unless you “have the real belief in your head” that you can beat him.
“He [Djokovic] looks incredible, last year was monumental at his age, to be that great still,” the American told Eurosport.
“Maybe we’re not sure about his wrist and if he’s 100% right now but that happened the last two years. He still won both years despite perceived injuries.
“People think he’ll be okay but I don’t know where he is physically. Technically he’s the best player I’ve seen: mentally, physically. Unless you have the real belief in your head that you can beat him, you’ve got no chance at all.
“A few players can rise to the occasion such as Alcaraz at Wimbledon, but few have. He’s won 10 Australian Opens and the law of averages would say someone at some point will win another one.
“But we said the same about Rafa [Nadal] at the French so who knows what will happen.”
Djokovic struggled with a wrist injury in the build-up to the tournament, but he has been given the all-clear by his medical team.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner will open his title defence against 18-year-old Croatia qualifier Dino Prizmic on Sunday while he could face former world No 1 Andy Murray in the third round and 16th seed Ben Shelton in the fourth round.
