Uncertain Future: Will Novak Djokovic Compete at the ATP Finals?
All eyes are on Turin this week as the ATP Tour Finals draw has set up what could be a thrilling end to the men’s tennis season. But there’s one big question hanging over everything — will Novak Djokovic actually play?
The draw revealed that top seed Carlos Alcaraz has been placed in the same group as Djokovic, along with Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner finds himself grouped with Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, and either Félix Auger-Aliassime or Lorenzo Musetti — depending on who secures the final qualification spot.
But here’s the twist: Djokovic, a seven-time ATP Finals champion, is one of the two wild cards in the draw and hasn’t yet confirmed whether he’ll take part. The 24-time Grand Slam winner is currently playing in Athens, and he’s said he’ll make a final decision on Turin only after that tournament ends.
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For Djokovic, this is familiar territory. The indoor conditions in Turin have always suited his fast, aggressive style, and he knows how to handle the high-pressure environment of the season finale. But questions about his fitness and scheduling have left his participation uncertain. If he decides not to play, the ninth-ranked player in the ATP Race — most likely Musetti or Auger-Aliassime — will take his place.
This uncertainty is especially tough on Musetti. The Italian star needs to win the Hellenic Championship in Athens to overtake Auger-Aliassime in the rankings and secure a ticket to Turin. But even if he finishes ninth, he could still qualify — if Djokovic pulls out. So right now, Musetti’s fate might literally depend on what Djokovic decides.
From a competitive point of view, the draw couldn’t have been kinder to Djokovic. He’s avoided facing Jannik Sinner in the group stage — a player who’s become something of a nemesis, with Djokovic losing his last five meetings against him. Instead, he’ll face Alcaraz, against whom he holds a slight edge in their recent head-to-head record, and two players he’s historically dominated — Fritz and de Minaur.
If Djokovic plays, he’ll have a strong shot at making the semifinals, and possibly even the final, where a rematch against Sinner could await. And with $15.5 million in total prize money — the biggest purse in ATP Finals history — the motivation to compete couldn’t be higher.
So, as the tournament prepares to kick off on November 9, all eyes remain on Djokovic’s next move. Will he join the battle for the year-end No. 1 spot between Alcaraz and Sinner, or will he sit this one out? Whatever happens, one thing’s certain — the drama in Turin has already begun.
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