As Novak Djokovic edges closer to the twilight of his illustrious career, the Serbian legend appears to be selectively managing his ATP Tour appearances. The 38-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history, has opted for a reduced schedule in 2025—sparking speculation about whether he will compete in the season-ending ATP Finals.
Djokovic was last seen on court at Wimbledon, where his run was halted in the semifinals by Jannik Sinner. Since then, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has been noticeably absent from competitive play, withdrawing from both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open to preserve his energy for the US Open later this month.
This calculated approach to tournament selection comes after he wrapped up his 2024 season with an appearance at the inaugural Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, instead of contesting the ATP Finals in Turin.
Only two events confirmed for 2025 so far
As it stands, Novak Djokovic is officially committed to just two tournaments for the remainder of the year: the US Open and the Six Kings Slam. This has fueled uncertainty about his involvement in other major ATP events, including the prestigious year-end finals in Italy.
Italian tennis pundit Guido Monaco, speaking on the Tennismania podcast, believes the veteran might give Turin a miss for the second consecutive year.
“We’ll see if Djokovic goes, but I don’t think so,” Monaco remarked.
He went on to predict that six of the eight ATP Finals spots are already locked in, with players like Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev leading the race. This leaves a handful of contenders—such as Jack Draper, Alex De Minaur, and Lorenzo Musetti—vying for the remaining positions.
Opportunity knocks for rising stars
Should Novak Djokovic opt out of Turin, the ninth-placed player in the ‘ATP Race’ would gain a last-minute invitation to the Finals—an opening that could prove pivotal for rising talents aiming to cement themselves on the big stage.
While Monaco remains doubtful of Djokovic’s participation, fans are hesitant to rule him out entirely. With a record-setting haul of ATP Finals titles, the Serbian has historically thrived in the high-stakes environment. If he does make the trip to Italy, he would instantly become one of the top favorites for the trophy.
For now, all eyes turn to Flushing Meadows, where Novak Djokovic’s laser focus is on reclaiming the US Open crown and solidifying his place at the top in the closing chapters of his career.