Ivan Ljubicic, former coach of Roger Federer, has expressed skepticism about Novak Djokovic’s participation in the 2024 ATP Finals, though he anticipates that Djokovic will “try again” to compete next year. Ljubicic noted that Djokovic demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level during his recent performance at the Shanghai Masters.
Djokovic recently announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Masters, scheduled from October 28 to November 3. He shared on Instagram that he has many fond memories from the tournament and hopes to return next year, apologizing to fans who were looking forward to seeing him play.
Currently, Djokovic ranks sixth in the Race to Turin, making him a strong candidate for qualifying for the 2024 ATP Finals, which features the top eight players of the year. Last year, he won both the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, capping off a remarkable season in which he secured three Grand Slam titles. He holds the record for the most titles at both events, with seven wins at each.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Ljubicic expressed uncertainty about Djokovic’s motivation, especially with the absence of rivals like Federer and Rafael Nadal. He mentioned that Djokovic’s focus seems to be on participating in tournaments rather than chasing rankings, which would require him to play more frequently. Ljubicic speculated that while Djokovic may not compete in Turin this year, he would likely make another attempt next year.
Djokovic had previously stated that he was “done” with events outside of Grand Slams and team competitions representing Serbia. He clarified that the ATP Finals is not a priority for him, emphasizing a focus on enjoying the sport rather than pursuing rankings.