What Novak Djokovic needs to do to clinch the year-end No.1 ranking this week

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic talks to the media

Novak Djokovic is back in action at the Paris Masters this week and he has his sights set firmly on clinching the year-end No.1 ranking once again.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion and current world No.1 faces pressure from Daniil Medvedvev for the prestigious top ranking prize for 2021, as he looks to claim that crown for a seventh time.

That would take him ahead of Pete Sampras in the all-time list for and there are a set of scenarios that can ensure he wraps up the No.1 spot in Paris this week:

  • Djokovic wins Paris title
  • Djokovic reaches Paris final and Medvedev does not win
  • Djokovic reaches Paris semi-final and Medvedev does not reach Paris final
  • Djokovic reaches Paris last eight and Medvedev does not reach Paris final four
  • Djokovic reaches Paris third round and Medvedev does not reach Paris semi-finals
  • Medvedev does not reach Paris last eight (regardless of Djokovic’s Paris finish)

“The year-end No. 1 is on the line between Medvedev and myself, and I’m in a pretty good position,” stated Djokovic said.

“That’s obviously the goal for the end of the season other than trying to do well in the Davis Cup with the national team. So hopefully I can have a strong finish of the season and clinch that year-end No. 1.”

Djokovic practiced with Medvedev in Nice last week and is relishing his return to action.

“I’m pleased to be back. I have been training really well past couple of weeks and I have had plenty of success in Paris-Bercy over the years, so that gives me enough reason to believe that I can do well, and I can go far in the tournament,” added Djokovic.

“But the lack of match play could be dangerous, so I have to really make sure that I start off my first match very well with a good intensity and build my form as that match passes on and hopefully get a win and get myself more comfortable on this court and just getting that match play in.

“I have learned over the years to deal with losses in such way that I treat them as great opportunities for growth. I feel that the US Open loss in the final has arrived arguably at the worst or at the best time for me, in a way.

“Of course I’m disappointed that I lost the match, but I feel like I was blessed to experience love from the crowd and support from the stadium that I have never experienced before in my life in New York, and actually not in many places around the world.

“That kind of energy that I received from the crowd from the moment I stepped on the court until I stepped out is a win for life.”

Novak Djokovic

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