Novak Djokovic has been eliminated from the ATP Finals race following a stunning second-round defeat at the Rolex Paris Masters. The 39-year-old, who had previously missed only the 2017 edition due to injury, suffered a 2-6 6-3 6-3 loss to 25-year-old Australian Rinky Hijikata. Despite starting strongly against the world No 83, Djokovic faded significantly in the later stages, failing to secure the semi-final run required to keep his qualification hopes alive for the season-ending showpiece in Turin.
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This shock exit opens the door for remaining contenders, with two spots still available in the final rankings battle. 12th-placed Taylor Fritz and 13th-placed Tommy Paul are now in prime position to capitalize on the vacancy. Djokovic’s departure marks a rare moment in his career, as he has qualified for the ATP Finals in 18 of the last 20 seasons, making this the first time since 2017 he will not feature in the year-end championship.
The Paris Masters continues to deliver upsets, as world No 1 Alexander Zverev also exited the tournament earlier in the week. Fans can follow the remaining action live on Sky Sports, where the race for the final two ATP Finals spots intensifies. With Djokovic’s seven-time record in Paris now overshadowed by this early exit, the focus shifts to whether Fritz or Paul can seize the opportunity to book their place in Turin.
Source: Sky Sports
