Djokovic’s season ends with Paris defeat as ATP Finals hopes disappear

Novak Djokovic has been eliminated from the race to qualify for the ATP Finals after losing to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Paris Masters, ending his season and his hopes of a record-extending eighth title at the year-end tournament.

The 39-year-old Serbian, who needed a deep run in Paris to reach the 16-player event in Turin, lost 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to the world number 83. He had not missed the Finals while fit since 2017, and has failed to qualify only once in the past 20 seasons when fit.

Djokovic said his plan for the next few weeks was “just rest”. He praised Hijikata’s performance, saying the Australian “was not missing” and played “really amazing tennis”. Djokovic added: “It was my fault to let the control of the match go.”

Djokovic reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals this year, but did not make the quarter-finals at any of the season’s Masters 1000 events. He last won a Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023.

Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul are now the only players still in contention for the final two places in Turin, currently held by Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar. Tiafoe lost to France’s Quentin Halys, while Alex de Minaur was beaten by Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Fritz stayed in contention by winning a deciding-set tie-break against Alex Molcan; Paul had earlier beaten Daniel Merida in straight sets.