Novak Djokovic misses ATP Finals after Paris Masters exit
The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the tournament.
Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Paris Masters on Wednesday after losing to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata. According to Sportstar, the 39-year-old Serb lost the second-round match 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The defeat to the world number 83 means Djokovic will not participate in the ATP Finals later this month. The player, a seven-time champion in Paris, expressed his disappointment after the match, noting he felt he had dominated the first set.
Djokovic praised Hijikata following the loss, stating the Australian was playing exceptionally well and not missing shots. The match turned when Djokovic lost his serve at 3-3 in the third set, allowing Hijikata to secure a second break and the win.
Prior to this match, Djokovic had defeated Valentin Vacherot 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1 in the first round on Tuesday, according to Mint. That victory had briefly kept his chances of reaching the year-end event in Turin alive.
Djokovic had entered the tournament sitting 11th in the ATP Live Race to Turin with 2,940 points. He needed a deep run in Paris to bridge the gap to the top nine players qualifying for the championships.
Following the exit, Djokovic told reporters that his plan for the coming weeks is to rest.