‘Novak Djokovic doesn’t care about rankings anymore’ – former world No 1 after Serb’s Paris decision

Ewan West
Andy Roddick presents Novak Djokovic with the 2023 US Open trophy
Andy Roddick presents Novak Djokovic with the 2023 US Open trophy

Andy Roddick has expressed his view that Novak Djokovic “doesn’t care about rankings anymore” after the Serbian withdrew from the Paris Masters. 

The 2003 US Open champion believes Djokovic’s decision to not play in Paris “makes sense” given what the tennis great has said about his scheduling approach.

Djokovic has pulled out of the 2024 Paris Masters, which will be held from October 28 to November 3. The 37-year-old will lose the 1,000 points he earned for winning the tournament last year.

“Unfortunately I won’t be playing the Paris Masters this year,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.

“I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there.”

Djokovic admitted last month he was “done” with tournaments other than Grand Slams and team competitions where he represents Serbia.

“Torino is not my goal at all, to be honest, I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings etc.,” he told reporters in Serbia during a Davis Cup tie against Greece.

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“As far as I am concerned, I am done with those tournaments for my career. Whether I will play other tournaments this year or in the future, I can’t say right now.

“My main priorities are playing for the national team and Slams, everything else is less important.”

These comments and Djokovic’s decision to skip Paris suggests he may also pull out of the ATP Finals in Turin and end his 2024 season early. He made his only appearance since the US Open at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month.

Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Roddick pointed out that Djokovic’s potential absence from the ATP Finals could help Tommy Paul qualify.

“Talking about being 10th in the Race to Turin, Novak has said that he’s not playing Turin. He said he has no interest in playing Turin,” said the former world No 1.

“Now, he can always change his mind, but simply, I’m not great at math but if someone ahead of you is not playing, then that means you’re in ninth.

“(On Djokovic withdrawing from Paris) That makes sense. I mean Novak has said that in so many words, and we don’t want this to take the focus away from Tommy Paul, but Novak is going to pick and choose his spots now.

“He’s going to try to juggle the schedule, where he gets enough matches before majors, but really, my interpretation of how Novak is talking is that he doesn’t care about rankings anymore.

“He knows what he’s been, can’t take away the No 1 ranking forever. He’s had it more weeks than anyone.

“This is how the next phase of his career is going to go, where he picks and chooses his spots, doesn’t care about Paris, isn’t going to play Turin.”

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