Novak Djokovic is close to qualifying for the ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic is closing in on qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin – but will the seven-time champion play in the season-ending event?

Taylor Fritz secured a place in the ATP Finals in fifth place on Tuesday as the American consolidated his position after Andrey Rublev lost his opening game at the Paris Masters to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

The 7-6(6), 7-6(5) win for Cerundolo was a huge blow to Rublev’s hopes of reaching the ATP Finals, as the Russian struggles to find form and consistency at this important stage of the season .

Rublev is currently in the final qualifying spot for the ATP Finals but could be overtaken in Paris if Australian Alex de Minaur has a good run at the Paris Masters.

The Australian started his participation in the last Masters tournament of the year impressively when he defeated Argentina’s Mariano Navone 7:5 and 6:1.

That leaves De Minaur just 125 points behind Rublev in the fight for the final spot in the ATP Finals, but that story could change if Djokovic pulls out of the event in Turin.

He has made it clear that qualifying for the ATP Finals is no longer a priority at this stage of his career, and the 37-year-old made those comments last month.

“Turin is not my goal at all, to be honest, I’m not chasing the ATP Finals, I’m not chasing the rankings,” he said after playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with these tournaments for my career. I can’t say at the moment whether I will take part in further tournaments this year or in the future.

“My main priorities are playing for the national team and the Slams, everything else is less important.”

Djokovic then confirmed he would not take part in the final Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Paris, just days after taking part in the lucrative Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia.

“Unfortunately I will not be playing at the Paris Masters this year,” Djokovic wrote on his social media pages.

“I have many great memories of winning seven titles and hope to be with you again next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there.”

That decision opened the door for many players to overtake Djokovic in the race to the ATP Finals, but Rublev’s early defeat kept the Serbian legend on track to qualify.

Casper Ruud’s defeat in his opening match against Jordan Thompson brought Djokovic closer to qualifying for Tutin and De Minaur will need a strong run in Paris to overtake Djokovic, but it looked like he had the option to play in Turin.

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So what are the chances of Djokovic playing in Turin if he qualifies?

He could have confirmed his season was over when he announced his withdrawal from the Paris Masters, leaving the door clearly open for an appearance at the ATP Finals.

The question will be whether he has the desire to commit to a week of high-level competition against the best players in the business as he pursues another title at an event he has won more than anyone else.

His interview with La Nacion earlier this month gave an insight into his ambitions at this point in his tennis career and he hinted that there is still a fire burning within him for greater success.

“Deep down I feel like I have to win more Grand Slams,” said 24-time Grand Slam king Djokovic.

“What still drives me to compete, especially the Grand Slams, is the feeling that I can be a candidate to win. And also for my country. I love playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup.

“If I have to motivate myself, there are two things: One, I have to continue to believe that I am capable of continuing to fight for and win the majors.

“And secondly, tennis is still my biggest platform to do other things that interest me and share the messages that interest me, whether it’s tennis, society, one of my ventures, something that’s my legacy, seriously building my brand.”

“I still feel like I’m enjoying the process and it’s giving me all these benefits. So why not? Some people think I should retire from tennis at the top: “You won gold, you won everything, say goodbye.”

“Some people think I should carry on while I still believe I can be the favorite for a Grand Slam. I think more like her. Maybe I’ll change my mind, I don’t know. At the moment I feel like I want to keep going.

“For how much longer? Traveling and finding motivation are becoming increasingly difficult for me. It is not easy. And even less so with children. I don’t want to be away from home for so long, but I still have the drive.

“That’s why I feel sorry for those who want me to retire because they have to see me for a while.”

Djokovic clearly wants to win more major titles before he hangs up his rackets, and we’ll get a big club at his level of motivation when he has to decide whether or not to play in the ATP Finals next month.

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