Djokovic Likely To Skip ATP Finals To Get Fully Fit’ According to Former US Open Runner-Up
According to Greg Rusedski, Novak Djokovic prioritizes being in perfect shape over competing in the ATP Finals.
Djokovic defended his title at the Paris Masters after missing out on the Masters 1000 final of the season, but the 37-year-old could advance to the ATP Finals.
The only way for Djokovic to finish out of the top eight qualifying spot is if Andrey Rublev and Alex de Minaur win next week’s Belgrade Open and Moselle Open in Metz and Casper Ruud reaches the semi-finals in Metz.
However, it is unclear whether Djokovic plans to play in the ATP Finals. The Serbian has yet to confirm whether he will play in the year-end tournament in Turin, probably when his qualification becomes official next week.
Doubts were raised after Djokovic was seen on holiday with his family, prompting speculation that the 24-time Grand Slam champion could decide to sit out the 2024 season.
Despite the importance of the ATP Finals, Djokovic has previously said he may play outside the Grand Slams and represent Serbia in the final stages of his career.
Roger Federer’s former coach Ivan Ljubicic believes Djokovic will not play in the ATP Finals this year, but has not ruled out the possibility of the 24-time Grand Slam champion doing so in the coming years.
Djokovic’s 10th Australian Open possible win means he could become the first Grand Slam winner to win it again this year after failing to win a major for the first time since 2017. Playing in Melbourne in January is clearly a priority for him so he would like to keep fit then.
Djokovic suffered an injury in the Roland-Garros match after the French Open and played the game wearing a knee brace. This forced him to withdraw from the event in Paris, where Jannik Sinner overtook him for first place.
Rusedski told The Tennis Channel that getting his knee 100 percent ready for 2025 was more important than winning an eighth ATP Finals title, which could force Djokovic to withdraw from the 2024 tournament.
“I think he needs to get healthy. We still see that knee brace there and once we don’t see that anymore, he’s back. “Last season he won the ATP Finals and played in Davis Cup, so he couldn’t get the prep he needed for this season. Then he picked up that injury at the French Open.”
“For me, if Novak is 100 percent healthy, he is in the mix to win every major again next year. Health is your wealth and the older you get, the smarter you need to get. Off-season to me is huge and the longer he can make his off-season the better off he will be for 2025.”
“I will be surprised if he plays in Turin or plays any more tennis this season, but never discount him. For me, if Novak is 100% healthy and gets fit, he is in the mix to win every major again. He has looked at Federer and Rafa, he has looked at the competition and knows he has to change a few things to beat the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz back to back.”
Djokovic’s absence would have been disappointing had he decided not to participate in the ATP Finals, but there are plenty of top players, including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who could make up for the loss.
