Sport · Singapore Bureau
Djokovic knocked out at Paris Masters, confirms ATP Finals absence
Novak Djokovic's disappointing campaign at the Paris Masters has ended with a second-round defeat to Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, effectively eliminating him from the season-ending ATP Finals. The Serbian star fell 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to the 22-year-old Hijikata on Wednesday.
LSN Singapore ·
Djokovic's exit from the Paris-Bercy tournament marks another setback for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has struggled to maintain consistency this season. The loss to world No. 92 Hijikata was comprehensive, with the Australian dominating the latter stages after dropping the opening set.
The defeat mathematically confirms that Djokovic will not qualify for the ATP Finals, the season's premier event reserved for the year's eight highest-ranked players. His performance at Roland Garros venue represents a significant disappointment in his bid to reclaim top ranking positions.
Hijikata, who secured his place in the tournament as a qualifier, recorded one of the biggest victories of his career against the legendary Serb. The Australian broke Djokovic's serve multiple times in the second and third sets to seal a commanding victory.
Djokovic's absence from the ATP Finals draws further focus to questions about his form and preparation heading into the off-season. His withdrawal from the elite tournament adds to a challenging campaign as he looks to rebuild momentum in the coming year.