After Novak Djokovic surprised tennis fans with a recent career decision, his brother, Djordje, has shared his thoughts on the matter. Novak, 37, decided not to defend his Paris Masters title, leaving many puzzled by his abrupt withdrawal from the competition he won last year. Djokovic’s unexpected move came just three days before the tournament was set to begin on October 26. Last year, he emerged victorious by defeating Grigo Dimitrov in the final with a score of 6-4, 6-3.
Djordje Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his brother’s decision, stating that even he is unsure of the reasoning behind it. In an interview with a Serbian outlet, Sport, Djordje mentioned, “I’m not sure that he knows at this moment. Honestly, it’s a decision for him, his team, and his family.” He acknowledged that Novak had a challenging year, culminating in a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Djokovic’s cancellation of the Paris Masters, which precedes the Belgrade tournament, raised eyebrows in the tennis community.
Novak Djokovic released a statement regarding his withdrawal from the Paris Masters, apologizing to fans who were anticipating his participation. He did not provide a specific explanation for his decision but expressed gratitude to players, sponsors, organizers, and fans. Djokovic, who has won seven titles at the Paris Masters, hinted at a potential return next year.
As Djokovic currently ranks sixth in the ‘race to Turin’ for the ATP Finals, his absence from the Paris Masters could impact his qualification for the season-ending event. Players like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz are ahead of Djokovic in the rankings, while Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, and Alex De Minaur are closely trailing him. Skipping the Paris Masters will result in Djokovic losing valuable ranking points.
In terms of titles this year, Djokovic’s success has been limited, with his Olympic gold medal in Tokyo being the standout achievement. He faced defeat at Wimbledon, where Alcaraz claimed victory in straight sets in the final, marking Djokovic’s only Grand Slam final appearance of the year. The French Open title went to Alcaraz, while Jannik Sinner secured victories at the US Open and the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic’s decision to forgo defending his Paris Masters title has left fans and experts speculating about his future plans in the tennis world. With uncertainties surrounding his participation in upcoming events and the ATP Finals, Djokovic’s next moves will undoubtedly be closely monitored by the tennis community.