Although he hasn’t had a great season, Novak Djokovic is very close to qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. Thanks to the final reached in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai a few weeks ago, the former world number 1 has come close to the goal of being among the best eight who will compete for the title in the most important event of the ATP calendar.
The Serbian legend – even if he qualifies – may choose to miss the ATP Finals in which he was champion in the last two editions in Turin. Novak’s mind is focused only on the Majors and events in which he can represent Serbia at this point in his career, as he himself admitted during an interview given in September.
After deciding to skip the Rolex Paris Masters last week, the 24-time Grand Slam champion relaxed in Maldives with his family and was spotted in Belgrade these days where he is playing the ATP 250. As things stand, it would be a great surprise if the former world number 1 decided to go to Turin to participate in the 2024 edition of the ATP Finals. The 37-year-old from Belgrade could announce his forfeit just these days, as the draw will take place on Thursday.
Djokovic was in Belgrade
Probably Nole’s hope was not to qualify for the ATP Finals, so he doesn’t have to make a very complicated decision. Skipping the most prestigious event in the ATP calendar without a valid reason could be a disciplinary problem, forcing ATP to impose a fine on the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Recently, Eurosport analyst Guido Monaco opened up on Djokovic’s decision about the ATP Finals: “The general feeling is that Djokovic will not participate, even though skipping the Finals is unusual. Many would do whatever it takes to qualify. For him, it makes sense not to go. From a sponsorship perspective, I am puzzled; it’s a showcase, and many bonuses are tied to participation. As of today, we would be surprised to see him in Turin.”
The 37-year-old from Belgrade could slip far behind in the ATP ranking and will be a dangerous opponent for anyone in week two of the 2025 Australian Open. Novak may not be among the top eight seed in Melbourne Park, with the risk of a clash between Sinner or Alcaraz as they enter the round of 16.
The first Major of the new season will be one of the main goals of the Serbian legend, who has won ten times in Australia and aims to win his 25th Grand Slam title. In addition, in 2025 Djokovic will be the only survivor of the Big 3 as Rafa Nadal’s upcoming retirement from the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Lots of memories
During a long interview with ‘La Nacion’, Nole reflected on his amazing rivalry with Federer and Nadal: “I see it as you describe it: as one of the biggest rivalries, without a doubt, in all of sport, and I am very proud and I feel totally honored to be part of that group. They are older than me, Rafa by one year, and Roger by six. And they influenced my game and my development as a tennis player more than any other player.
I became a candidate for the Grand Slams and started to be at the highest level of the professional standard when I won the Grand Slam in 2008. But the next one I won in 2011. It took me three years to win the second Grand Slam and I was number 3 in the world for those three years.”
He continued: “I’m very proud of the experience of having played more than 60 matches with Rafa and I don’t know, about 50 with Roger. It’s incredible. I don’t know if there is any rivalry with as many matches as I had with Nadal, for example. I think rivalries are extremely important for sport, whatever it is. People like that duality.
Although it is not my philosophy of life, I understand that there are people who like: “Boca-River, left-right.” It was Roger-Rafa, and they said to me: “Novak, what are you going to do there? Who is this guy? There is no room for a third.” But then we created the most wonderful trio that tennis has ever produced.” Djokovic last faced Federer in the 2020 Australian Open semi-final, while his last official match against Nadal was at the Paris Olympics this summer. The Serbian ace and the Spanish legend also met in the controversial exhibition in Saudi Arabia a short time ago.