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'If I didn’t have the self-belief to win the title, I wouldn’t be here': Novak Djokovic

Updated on: 18 January,2026 08:50 AM IST  |  Melbourne
AFP |

The Serbian, 38, is targeting a record-extending 11th title here and a 25th major crown. To do so he must get past Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have shared the last eight Grand Slams since Djokovic the 2023 US Open

'If I didn’t have the self-belief to win the title, I wouldn’t be here': Novak Djokovic

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during a practice session on the eve of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday. Pic/AFP

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'If I didn’t have the self-belief to win the title, I wouldn’t be here': Novak Djokovic
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Novak Djokovic said on Saturday that he fancies his chances at the Australian Open despite “missing a bit of juice” in the legs, declaring he can still beat anyone on his day. 

The Serbian, 38, is targeting a record-extending 11th title here and a 25th major crown. To do so he must get past Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have shared the last eight Grand Slams since Djokovic the 2023 US Open


The former World No. 1 still has belief that he can take down the big two. “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-confidence, I wouldn’t be here. Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance,” said Djokovic, who opens his campaign against Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Monday.

Ten
No of times Djokovic has won the season-opening Slam

Three
No of years since Djokovic last won the Australian Open 

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