Novak Djokovic ‘withdraws from Paris Masters and 2024 season may be over’ | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic might have already played his final game of 2024, with the Serb set to miss the upcoming Paris Masters.
The 37-year-old was expected to feature in the Masters 1000 event, which is being held at the Bercy Arena for the final time.
Bercy has been kind to Djokovic in the past, with the 24-time Grand Slam winner the record-holder for the most Paris Masters wins.
Djokovic is the only player in the tournament’s history to have won it seven times – a record that won’t be extended next month.
But the decision to not take part in the Paris Masters has thrown Djokovic’s participation at the season-ending ATP Finals into doubt.
As well as the obvious fitness concerns, Djokovic hasn’t yet qualified as one of the top eight players for next month’s event in Italy.
Djokovic’s chances were boosted at the Shanghai Masters last weekend when he reached the final, but the reigning champion will now face a nervous wait to see if he’s made the cut.
The Belgrade-born star currently sits fourth in the world rankings, having dropped from first earlier this year.
It comes after Djokovic featured at the 6 Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
Having progressed beyond his first-round opponent Daniil Medvedev in the big-money event, Djokovic was paired against World No.1 Jannik Sinner.
As has been the case in the pair’s last three meetings on the ATP Tour, Sinner prevailed, taking a 2-6, 7-6 (7-0), 4-6 victory.
It did set up an emotional meeting against familiar foe Rafael Nadal in the third-place play-off, with what’s likely to be the pair’s final-ever match together.
Djokovic strolled to a comfortable win though, beating the King of Clay in straight sets.
Commenting on Nadal’s impending retirement after the match, Djokovic said on-court: “I don’t know where to start with Rafa. An amazing career. I could speak all night. It has been an honour to share the court with you.
“I go back to the very first match we played and who would know we would be standing here almost 20 years later, playing 60 times. I have the utmost respect for you. Incredible athlete, an incredible person.
“The rivalry has been incredible, very intense, so I hope we will have the chance to sit on the bench somewhere, have a drink and reflect. I know how much sacrifice [there has been]. It is an emotional day, so don’t leave tennis, man! Stay with us! You have left an amazing legacy.”
