Novak Djokovic faces a critical decision as he may yet qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin despite his recent decision to step away from competition. Sitting sixth in the ATP Race to Turin, Djokovic’s position was seemingly in jeopardy after he withdrew from the Paris Masters, opening the door for other top players to secure their places. Yet, with Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, and Alex de Minaur failing to make significant progress in recent tournaments, Djokovic’s spot in the Finals may be safe if his challengers falter in Paris.
Djokovic, who has been clear about his intent to adopt a reduced schedule to focus on Grand Slam titles and Serbian national events, surprised fans by pulling out of Paris despite his seven-title legacy there. “I have a lot of great memories… I hope to be back next year,” he wrote, fueling speculation that 2024 might mark a shift toward fewer ATP Tour appearances.
The race for Turin qualification remains tight, with Grigor Dimitrov, Tommy Paul, and Ruud all needing strong showings in Paris to catch Djokovic. If they fall short, Djokovic will need to decide whether to play in Turin—a prospect that former player and coach Ivan Ljubicic finds unlikely. “His goal is definitely the tournaments and not the ranking… but when he wants to compete, he can challenge the best,” Ljubicic commented, adding that Djokovic’s participation in the Finals could depend entirely on his motivation in a post-Federer and post-Nadal era.
While Djokovic is fresh off a runner-up finish in Shanghai and secured Olympic gold this season, the prospect of a reduced schedule and his potential absence from the ATP Finals signal a turning point in his illustrious career. Should he qualify, Djokovic’s decision to compete in Turin will be a closely watched indicator of his intentions for the future—whether to chase more titles or embrace the life of a part-time competitor as he nears 38.
