Novak Djokovic pulls out of Paris Masters as defending champion, risks not qualifying in ‘Race to Turin’ for ATP Finals
Flo Clifford
ByFlo Clifford
Published 24/10/2024 at 08:12 GMT+1
Defending champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s Paris Masters tournament, the final Masters 1000 of the 2024 calendar. Currently sixth of eight in the ‘race to Turin’, with the top eight in the world to play in the ATP Finals, he risks being overtaken by players hot on his heels and not qualifying for the season-ending showpiece. No reason was given for the Serb’s withdrawal.
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Novak Djokovic, a record seven-time champion at the Paris Masters, will not be defending his title there after announcing his withdrawal on Instagram.
It means the 37-year-old may have already finished his season, with qualification not guaranteed for the ATP Finals in Turin in November.
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A record 40-time Masters champion, Djokovic is currently sixth in the ‘race to Turin’, with the top eight players in the world rankings to contest the season-closing tournament.
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“Unfortunately, I won’t be playing [at the Paris Masters] this year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me play there,” he wrote in a brief message on Instagram Stories.
“Wishing all the players, sponsors, organisers and fans a great tournament. I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles there, and hope to be back with you next year,” he added, followed by the hands in prayer emoji.
No explanation was given for his withdrawal from the tournament.
The Serb will lose a significant number of ranking points due to not defending his title, meaning that he could still be overhauled by a number of players in the competition to be in the world’s top eight and qualify for Turin.
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If Djokovic’s season ends here, his only major title this year will have been a long-coveted first Olympic gold medal in Paris in August. The 24-time Grand Slam winner has failed to pick up one of the sport’s four biggest honours for the first time since 2017, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz taking two apiece this year.
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