The short version
- Novak Djokovic lost to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Paris Masters, effectively ending his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
- This marks only the second time in two decades that the Serbian star has failed to reach the season-ending event while fit, highlighting a difficult stretch in his recent Masters 1000 performances.
- With Djokovic out, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remain in contention for the final two spots currently held by Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar.
Novak Djokovic’s campaign at the Paris Masters concluded with a second-round defeat to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, eliminating the Serbian star from contention for the ATP Finals in Turin. The loss ends Djokovic’s season and dashes his hopes of securing a record-extending eighth title at the prestigious year-end championships. At 39 years old, Djokovic remains the men’s record holder with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a feat that ties him with Margaret Court for the most major titles in tennis history regardless of gender.
The match itself revealed significant physical struggles for the veteran champion. Although Djokovic began strongly, he was unable to withstand Hijikata’s elevated play during the latter stages of the contest. The Australian, ranked 83rd in the world, lifted his level significantly toward the end of the second set and throughout the deciding third set. Djokovic appeared labored and physically compromised, committing a series of unforced errors that sealed his exit with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Qualifying for the Turin event had become increasingly difficult for Djokovic as the tournament progressed. While the draw initially seemed to open up after two of his rivals for a spot were eliminated earlier in the day, the Serbian likely needed to reach at least the semi-finals in Paris to secure his place. His failure to advance means he has missed out on the finals for only the second time in the past 20 seasons while maintaining fitness, a rare occurrence given his historical dominance in this arena.
This elimination underscores a challenging period for Djokovic in the Masters 1000 circuit this year. Despite reaching the final of the Australian Open and the semi-finals of Wimbledon earlier in the season, he has failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of the nine Masters 1000 events held so far. His last Grand Slam victory came at the US Open in 2023, marking a gap in major titles that adds pressure to his remaining opportunities for silverware.
The implications of Djokovic’s exit ripple through the qualification standings for the ATP Finals. With the Serbian out of the picture, only two American players, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, remain in contention for the final two available spots. These positions are currently held by Frances Tiafoe and Spanish player Rafael Jodar. The race for these last places remains tight, with several key matches still to be played in the remaining tournaments.
Tiafoe’s path to securing his spot was complicated earlier on Wednesday when he suffered a narrow defeat to Frenchman Quentin Halys. The match ended 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9), taking control of his qualification fate out of his own hands. Meanwhile, Australian Alex de Minaur also failed to capitalize on the shifting dynamics. De Minaur lost in straight sets, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, a result that denied him the automatic qualification he could have secured with a deeper run in Paris.
Elsewhere in the tournament, other top seeds also faced unexpected exits. World number one Alexander Zverev, who has already qualified for Turin, was defeated by Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. Zverev expressed annoyance at the reaction to his ascent to the top ranking following this loss, suggesting a lingering discomfort with how his achievement is perceived despite the on-court result.
Daniil Medvedev, the fourth seed and another player already qualified for the finals, also fell short. The Russian was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Peruvian Ignacio Buse, who ranks 33rd in the world. These upsets highlight the unpredictable nature of the Paris Masters and the intense competition facing players as they navigate the final stretch of the tennis season.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Defeat ends Djokovic's hopes of making ATP Finals
