Can Novak Djokovic qualify for the ATP Finals in 2024 to defend his title? Exploring the Serb's chances ahead of Shanghai Masters
After a mini-break following the US Open, Novak Djokovic is set to return to the tennis circuit by competing in the Shanghai Masters. The Serbian will be back in Shanghai for the first time since 2019, aiming to win his first Masters 1000 trophy of the season.
Djokovic's participation at the Shanghai Masters and his potential availability for the Paris Masters 1000 will increase his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. However, he will have to play a full schedule until the end of the season to stand any chance of qualifying for the season's final tournament in Turin.
Novak Djokovic is currently ninth on the list of automatic qualification and will need to win the Shanghai Masters and defend his title at the Paris Masters to make it through the eight automatic qualifying spots. Furthermore, Alex de Minaur, currently above Djokovic, has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters due to injury, which can prove to be a massive boost for the Serbian's hopes of qualification. Taylor Fritz's early exit from the Japan Open against eventual winner Arthur Fils is also one of the results that has kept the race for the ATP Finals open, with Novak only 630 points shy of the fifth-placed American.
Djokovic will not have any points to defend at the Shanghai Masters and a deep run in the tournament will see him climb up the ATP rankings. The Serbian is currently ranked as the World No. 4, after his third-round exit at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic will start as the defending champion at the Paris Masters and a failure to win the title will result in the Serbian losing points. The 37-year-old needs almost everything to go his way if he is to qualify for the ATP Finals, where he is the defending champion after defeating Jannik Sinner last year.
Novak Djokovic not thinking about the ATP Finals 2024
Novak Djokovic has said that qualifying for the ATP Finals is not a priority for him this season. The Serbian star further added that he might never participate in some of the ATP tournaments and claimed that he is not focused on his rankings or even the ATP Finals. During the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, Djokovic said:
"I am not chasing a place on the ATP list, nor the Final Masters. Those are not my goals, honestly. As for me, I finished my career in other tournaments. I don't know if I will play them in the future or this year," Djokovic said.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion said he wanted to prioritize Majors and Davis Cup matches for Serbia, while also taking time for recovery.
"My priorities are playing for the national team and grand slams, everything else is less important. Now I need a physical, mental, and emotional rest in order to decide what and how to proceed, how much and where," the Serb added.
Currently, Djokovic is ranked as the World No. 4 in the ATP ranking having started the year as the World No. 1. While he has disclosed his intentions when it comes to the ATP Finals, a poor run at the Shanghai and Paris Masters could see the Serbian slip down further in the ATP rankings.