Fans and insiders continue to wonder if Novak Djokovic will return to the ATP tour before the end of this year. The former world number 1 decided to skip the Rolex Paris Masters this week, avoiding defending last year’s title by beating Grigor Dimitrov in the final. On the other hand, the Serbian legend had specified that his main objectives were the Grand Slam tournaments and events in which he had a chance to represent Serbia. However, the final reached in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai a few weeks ago had increased his chances of entering the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
Novak Djokovic, Paris Masters 2023© X – Rolex Paris Masters
Although the 24-time Grand Slam champion had declared that the Finals were no longer part of his goals, he is likely to be faced with a very complicated choice. The 37-year-old from Belgrade is on vacation in Maldives at the moment, he is not practicing and it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to return to action in 2024.
This season has not given great satisfaction to Nole, except for the amazing run at the Olympics in Paris this summer. Djokovic completed the puzzle by fulfilling one of his biggest dreams, but otherwise he has not won an ATP title and hasn’t won a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
Qualification is close
According to the Serbian media, Djokovic will miss the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin even if he qualifies. The former world number 1 has lifted the trophy in Turin in the last two editions, defeating Casper Ruud in 2022 and Jannik Sinner in 2023. Due to the results at the Rolex Paris Masters this week, Novak’s qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals is very likely. At this moment, there is only one way Nole doesn’t qualify to the ATP Finals: Andrey Rublev wins the title in Metz next week, Alex de Minaur wins the title in Belgrade and Casper Ruud reaches at least the semifinals in Metz.
Novak Djokovic, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
In a recent interview with Tennis Channel, former ATP ace Greg Rusedski opened up on Djokovic’s current status: “I think he needs to get healthy. We still see that knee brace there and once we don’t see that any more, he’s back. Last season he won the ATP Finals and played in Davis Cup, so he couldn’t get the prep he needed in for this season. Then he picked up that injury at the French Open.
For me, if Novak is 100 per-cent healthy, he is in the mix to win every major again next year. Health is your wealth and the older you get, the smarter you need to get. Off season to me is huge and the longer he can make his off season the better off he will be for 2025. I will be surprised if he plays in Turin or plays any more tennis this season, but never discount him. For me, if Novak is 100% healthy and gets fit, he is in the mix to win every major again.
Don’t discount Novak. Health is your wealth, the older you become the smarter you have to become and he knows these things. He has looked at Federer and Rafa, he has looked at the competition and knows he has to change a few things to beat the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz back to back.”
Nole will have to make a decision
Considering that the Serbian ace is not practicing at this time, it would be a real shock if he decided to play the ATP Finals which start in just over a week. The 24-time Grand Slam champion should announce his forfeit very soon and focus directly on next season, in which he will try to win the 25th Major title of his glorious career.
Novak Djokovic, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Novak’s goals also include winning his 100th title and writing a new page in tennis history. The only news we know for sure is that the 37-year-old from Belgrade will be attending the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga to pay tribute to his eternal rival Rafael Nadal, who will be leaving professional tennis at the end of this month.
The rivalry between these two champions has been one of the most iconic in modern sport history and the last official chapter was at the Paris Olympics this summer. Rafa and Novak also played in the first edition of the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia, but that match is not counted in official statistics. The Serbian has used some really beautiful words towards the 14-time French Open champion, which has pushed him to improve in every aspect of his game. Rafa also praised Nole, but chose Roger Federer as his greatest opponent.
