Novak Djokovic is closing in on qualification for the ATP Finals, but there is a growing expectation that his tennis season is already over.
Images of Djokovic sunning himself on a beach in the Maldives after he pulled out of the Paris Masters event have fuelled the rumours that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will opt out of playing in Turin even if he qualifies for the end-of-season ATP tournament.
Djokovic has made it clear that he is no longer motivated to play in ATP Tour events and will focus his attention on playing in Grand Slam tournaments and representing Serbia.
Now former British No 1 and US Open finalist Greg Rusedski has given his verdict on Djokovic’s short-term plans, as he suggested he avoid playing at the ATP Finals.
“I think he needs to get healthy,” Rusedski told The Tennis Channel as he spoke about Djokovic. “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.”
Djokovic could have enough ranking points from 2024 to qualify for the ATP Finals despite only playing a limited schedule this year.
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His run to the Australian Open semi-final and Wimbledon final have contributed to the bulk of his ranking points this year, with Rusedski suggesting his presence in the top six of the current ATP Race is a sign of his enduring brilliance.
“It just shows you the greatness of Novak,” declared Rusedski. “He has done everything in our sport and if you said to him this year, you can have two of three majors or the Olympic gold medal, he’d take the gold medal.
“He knew this was this was one of his last chances to achieve that feat. It shows the mental fortitude he had to do that.
“You mentioned him reaching the Wimbledon final. I was shocked he played. I saw him practising at Wimbledon a week before and I thought he was just using it as prep for the Olympics, but he got to the final on one and a half legs. It’s an incredible feat. That’s what a great champion he is.”
Rusedski went on to suggest hiring a new coach could reignite the fire in Djokovic heading into next year, as he has been working with temporary coaches since parting company with Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year.
“The one thing I would say with Novak that I would love to see is him to hire a world-class coach,” added Rusedski. “He has a physical trainer and physio which he’s had on his team, so that’s set.
“The world class coach is only there to give him strong opinions. Because what are you going to tell a guy who has won 24 majors and Olympic gold? You need somebody who is going to have a strong voice in the camp and work together with Novak.”