Novak Djokovic’s 2024 season has officially concluded following a shocking second-round defeat at the Paris Masters. The 39-year-old Serb, who holds the men’s record with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, fell to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss. The result eliminates Djokovic from contention for the ATP Finals in Turin, marking only the second time in the past 20 seasons that the veteran has failed to qualify for the year-end championship while fit.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
Despite a promising start, Djokovic appeared physically labored and struggled to maintain his intensity against the 24-year-old Australian. Hijikata, currently ranked world No. 83, elevated his game significantly in the final two sets, exploiting Djokovic’s increased error rate to secure the decisive break. The upset is particularly notable given that two of Djokovic’s direct rivals for a Finals spot had already fallen earlier in the day, a scenario that seemed to open the door for the Serb to advance with a semi-final finish.
This loss cements a historic milestone for Hijikata, who has now defeated one of the greatest players in tennis history on the ATP Tour. For Djokovic, the defeat brings an end to a grueling campaign, leaving him tied with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history. As the season winds down, the focus shifts to whether the 24-time major winner will take a full break or attempt a comeback in early 2025, with his physical condition in Paris raising questions about his immediate future.
Source: BBC
