The president of the Italian Tennis Federation has confirmed Novak Djokovic’s participation in the upcoming ATP Finals. The world No. 5 has not played a match since he retired in the middle of a third-place playoff at the Six Kings Slam exhibition last month and said he has some physical problems to address.
The Serbian superstar withdrew from the recent Paris Masters but is back in action at this week’s ATP 250 event in Athens. There were concerns that Djokovic may not want to compete in back-to-back weeks. He also skipped the ATP Finals last year. But Angelo Binaghi has now quashed any fears that Djokovic will pull out again.
“We have confirmation that Djokovic will play,” the Italian tennis chief told Gr Parlamento ahead of the season-ending championships, which are staged in Turin.
For now, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is focused on this week’s Hellenic Championship. His brother, Djordje, is the tournament director, and the ATP 250 event takes place in his new home, Athens.
Djokovic received a bye directly into the second round, where he faces a tough test against Alejandro Tabilo, someone who has become his kryptonite. The Chilean star has an unbeaten 2-0 record against the world No. 5, including a win at this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters.
It will be Djokovic’s first match since he retired from the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia. After losing a 75-minute first set to Taylor Fritz, the 38-year-old threw in the towel and told the crowd: “Now it’s time to rest and really address some of the issues I have with my body.”
Just a few days earlier, Djokovic suffered defeat to then-world No. 204 Valentin Vacherot in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals. The world No. 5 struggled throughout the week in Shanghai, throwing up on the court during multiple matches.
Djokovic appeared to be battling a hip injury during his match against Vacherot, stretching out in between points and calling the trainer to the court before he suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat.
He later withdrew from the Paris Masters. But, according to Binaghi, Djokovic is now expected to play back-to-back weeks in Athens and Turin.
If Djokovic is committed to the ATP Finals, it means there is one final spot up for grabs in Turin. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti are currently fighting it out to be the last man to qualify.
Only the eight players who have earned the most ranking points this season get to qualify. Auger-Aliassime sits in eighth place after reaching the Paris Masters final, but Musetti can overtake him if he claims the trophy in Athens this week.
Auger-Aliassime was expected to compete in another ATP 250 event in Metz, where he could have extended his lead over Musetti in the race and put his fate in his own hands. However, he withdrew after finishing as runner-up in Paris.
Some questioned whether the Canadian knew Djokovic might not be playing the ATP Finals, which would allow both Auger-Aliassime and Musetti to get in. But it will now be up to Musetti to lift his first ATP Tour title and book his place in Turin.
