Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion at the Paris Masters, has announced his withdrawal from the tournament, potentially signaling the end of his roller-coaster season. The 37-year-old tennis icon took to Instagram to share the news, stating, “Unfortunately, I won’t be playing the Paris Masters this year. I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles, and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there.”
Djokovic’s withdrawal comes at a time when his dominance on the court has been challenged. Despite his impressive career achievements, including a record 40 Masters titles and 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic has faced a string of losses and setbacks. He has been dethroned as the Grand Slam king by the rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have claimed multiple Grand Slam titles and the world number-one ranking. Djokovic’s only title this season was the Olympic gold medal in Paris, a testament to his resilience but a stark contrast to his previous dominance.
The 2024 season marks a turning point for Djokovic, who has not won a Grand Slam title since 2021. This will be the first time since 2017 that Djokovic will finish a season without a Grand Slam victory. While he remains in contention for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, his chances are uncertain as he currently holds sixth place in the race for the eight-man field.
Djokovic’s announcement comes amidst a wave of retirements in the world of tennis, most notably his long-time rival Rafael Nadal who has declared his intention to retire after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. However, Djokovic has emphatically stated his intention to continue playing, despite acknowledging a challenging season. He said, “I don’t know what the future brings, I’ll just try to kind of go with the flow to see how I feel in a given moment, but I still plan to compete and play next season.”
Despite the recent losses and the uncertainties surrounding his future, Djokovic remains focused on pushing his own boundaries. He said, “I think I’ve achieved all of my biggest goals in my career. Right now, it’s really about Slams and about still seeing how far I can kind of push the bar for myself.”
The Paris Masters, set to take place from October 28 to November 3, will be missing its seven-time champion. Djokovic’s absence will be a noticeable void in the tournament, and his future participation remains a question mark for tennis enthusiasts. His decision to withdraw, combined with his recent struggles, raises questions about the next chapter in the illustrious career of Novak Djokovic.