Novak Djokovic Eyes Paris Masters and Turin Qualification Amid Health Recovery

Novak Djokovic has admitted that his 2026 tennis season has been heavily disrupted by a mysterious physical condition, though he believes he and his team are finally making progress toward resolving the issue. Speaking ahead of the Paris Masters, the 39-year-old Serbian superstar explained that his primary focus throughout much of the year shifted from playing well simply to feeling well on the court.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has competed in only 10 ATP events this season due to persistent fatigue and physical struggles. While he reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semifinals, his underlying health issues contributed to unexpected early exits at Roland Garros and the US Open, where he suffered his first opening-round defeat at a major tournament since 2006.

Despite missing out on peak physical condition for much of the year, Djokovic has still managed to capture a title, winning his 102nd career trophy in Beijing. He noted that his recent performances in Beijing and Basel indicate that his health is improving, which has immediately translated into a higher level of play and greater on-court enjoyment.

Addressing critics who have speculated about his training regimen, Djokovic firmly rejected external opinions. "It had nothing to do with my preparation or whether I am training enough, because I see there are a lot of people that love to express their expert opinion on knowing exactly what is happening with me, but they don't," he told reporters.

As he prepares for the final stretch of the season, Djokovic remains focused on securing a qualification spot for the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Currently sitting 11th in the Race to Turin standings, he faces a challenging path to break into the top eight. However, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner's absence for the remainder of the season has slightly improved the qualification outlook for chasing players.

Djokovic opened his campaign at the Paris Masters with a hard-fought match against Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, who recently claimed the title at the Basel Open. Vacherot previously defeated Djokovic during a strong run at the Shanghai Masters in 2025.

Even as he navigates the closing weeks of the year, Djokovic maintains that the sport's major tournaments retain their ultimate significance. "Grand Slams remain, of course, the most important tournaments we have," Djokovic said, emphasizing their historical importance as the pillars of tennis.