In an unexpected move, defending champion Novak Djokovic has decided to withdraw from next week’s Paris Masters tournament, the final Masters 1000 event of the 2024 calendar. As the sixth seed in the ‘race to Turin,’ Djokovic’s decision puts his spot in the ATP Finals at risk, as only the top eight players in the world will qualify for the prestigious season-ending tournament.

Although a seven-time champion at the Paris Masters, Djokovic made the announcement of his withdrawal on Instagram without providing any explanation. This leaves fans speculating about the Serb’s future plans and whether he will compete in any more tournaments this season.

“It’s unfortunate that I won’t be playing [at the Paris Masters] this year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me play there,” Djokovic wrote in a brief message on his Instagram Stories, leaving fans disappointed but also curious about the reasons behind his decision.

With a record 40 Masters titles under his belt, Djokovic’s absence from the Paris Masters creates an opportunity for other players to move up in the rankings and potentially secure their spots in the ATP Finals. Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, and Djokovic currently occupy the remaining positions, but they face the threat of being overtaken by Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, Tommy Paul, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic’s most recent appearance on the court was at the ‘Six Kings Slam’ exhibition in Saudi Arabia, where he defeated long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the third-place play-off. Despite this victory, Djokovic’s decision to skip the Paris Masters raises questions about his form and fitness leading into the end of the season.

As the tennis world awaits further updates on Djokovic’s schedule and future tournaments, all eyes will be on the remaining contenders in the ‘race to Turin’ as they battle for a coveted spot in the ATP Finals.