Novak Djokovic close to solving health issues as he chases ATP Finals spot

Novak Djokovic said he is close to solving the health issues that have plagued his season as he looks to secure a place at the season-ending ATP Finals by doing well at the Paris Masters.

The 39-year-old Serbian is placed 11th in the ATP Finals standings, with the top eight qualifying for the season finale. Djokovic plays Valentin Vacherot, who won the Swiss Indoors tournament, in his Paris Masters opener later on Tuesday.

The November 2-8 tournament will be followed by the ATP Finals from November 15-22.

Season context

Djokovic has been waiting for a record 25th Grand Slam title since winning his last Major crown at the 2023 US Open. He reached the Australian Open final and Wimbledon last four, but suffered early exits at the French Open and US Open. Djokovic won his 102nd career title in Beijing last month before going out early in Shanghai and Basel.

Health and performance

This year the focus shifted to feeling well on the court rather than playing well, to be honest, because for most of the tournaments I played, I didn’t play many, it was health-wise a big struggle, Djokovic told reporters.

It had nothing to do with my preparation or whether I’m training enough, because I see there are a lot of people that love to express expert opinions on knowing exactly what’s happening with me, but they don’t.

Whenever I felt better on the court, and lately that’s been the case, we’re getting closer to solving what I have been going through in the last 12 months, Djokovic said.

So right away, my performance level, my enjoyment on court, my feeling is great and I play better. Beijing was the best week of the year other than Australia and I thought I played pretty well in Basel, as well.

Of course that was a tight match to lose, but just trying to enjoy the last couple weeks of the season and on the court feeling better primarily.

ATP Finals qualification

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner’s absence through injury improves Djokovic’s chances. Djokovic has won 102 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including a record 24 majors, a record 40 Masters titles, a record seven year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal.

He has been ranked as the world No. 1 in men’s singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals for a record 428 weeks, finished as the year-end No. 1 a record eight times, and has been ranked No.

1 at least once in a year for a record 13 different years. Djokovic is the only man in tennis history to be the reigning champion of all four majors at once across three different surfaces.

In singles, he is the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam, and the first player to complete a Career Golden Masters, and the only player to accomplish it twice.

Djokovic is the only player in singles to have won all of the Big Titles over the course of his career.

Djokovic's recent major results this season

Related on Apex Sports News

• Novak Djokovic Basel loss dents ATP Finals hopes

• Novak Djokovic Paris Masters: what he needs to qualify for ATP Finals

Sources

• Sportstar

• Wikipedia: Novak Djokovic (background)

• Photo: Vbrunophotog, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)