Roger Federer’s former coach Ivan Ljubicic doubts Novak Djokovic will compete at the 2024 ATP Finals, but he expects the Serbian to “try again” to play the event next year.
Ljubicic, a former world No 3, believes Djokovic’s run at the Shanghai Masters proved he can still “challenge the best” when “he wants to compete.”
On Wednesday, Djokovic withdrew from the 2024 Paris Masters, which will be held next week from October 28 to November 3.
“Unfortunately I won’t be playing the Paris Masters this year,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.
“I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there.”
Djokovic has a good chance of qualifying for the 2024 ATP Finals as he sits sixth in the Race to Turin, but he may skip the event. The top eight players in the yearly rankings qualify for the season-ending championships.
The 37-year-old won the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals last year to cap off an outstanding 2023 season that featured three Grand Slam titles. He holds the records for the most titles at both the Masters 1000 event in Paris and the ATP Finals with seven triumphs at each event.
Djokovic last featured at the Shanghai Masters, where he was a runner-up to Jannik Sinner earlier this month.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Ljubicic expressed his uncertainty over Djokovic’s motivation to keep playing in the absence of his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“I don’t know, and I believe he doesn’t know either at the moment,” the Croatian said.
“In my opinion, his goal is definitely the tournaments and not the ranking because to climb higher, he would have to play much more.
“He is neither physically nor mentally prepared for it, but he showed us in Shanghai that when he wants to compete, he can challenge the best.
“I doubt he will play in Turin this year, but he will try again next year.”
Djokovic admitted last month he was “done” with tournaments other than Grand Slams and team competitions where he represents Serbia.
“Torino is not my goal at all, to be honest, I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings etc.,” the world No 4 told reporters in Serbia during a Davis Cup tie against Greece.