Reasons Why Novak Djokovic is set to take painful rankings hit with repercussions for Sinner and Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic could finish the year as low as ninth in the world rankings after withdrawing from the ATP Finals.
The 37-year-old is currently ranked sixth, putting him on course for his lowest year-end position since an injury-riddled 2017 season. Djokovic has massively cut down his tournament schedule this year with the Paris Olympics, Shanghai Masters, Davis Cup and Six Kings Slam the only non-Grand Slam events he has competed in since the Geneva Open in May.
And now, despite sitting in the top eight as things stand, Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Finals due to injury.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” he posted on Instagram. “Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!”
An even sharper decline in the world rankings would have left Djokovic vulnerable to an early meeting with either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January – his next opportunity to win a 25th Grand Slam title.
But even the worst-case scenario of dropping to ninth would guarantee that Djokovic avoids both of his main rivals until at least the quarter-finals in Melbourne due to his seeding.
That being said, Djokovic’s steady descent in ranking terms will eventually have repercussions for Alcaraz and Sinner. The veteran has made it clear that he will continue to be selective about which tournaments he plays, with Grand Slams and Serbia commitments taking priority.
“The ATP Finals and being at the top of the rankings are no longer objectives for me,” he said in September. “I do not know if I will play the Finals this year or next, but right now, what I need the most is physical, mental, and emotional rest to decide what comes next in my career, how much more I want to play, and where.”
Djokovic’s standing in the ATP charts is bound to suffer as a result of his new approach. Alcaraz and Sinner will be paying the price with him if it means facing the former world No. 1 in the earlier rounds of major tournaments.
Though he is no longer fighting it out at the top of the world rankings, Djokovic remains a competitor top players will be desperate to avoid, having made it to the Shanghai Masters final in October and won an Olympic gold medal in August.
