Novak Djokovic is currently fighting for an ATP Finals place.
The record seven-time champion currently sits 11th in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’. To qualify for the ATP Finals, Djokovic (2,840 points) must overtake Alex de Minaur (2,880 points) and Rafael Jodar (3,159 points).
But as a legend of the sport, should Djokovic need to qualify for the tour finals? Every other event offers wild cards to former champions, so why can’t the ATP Finals do the same? 2020 ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev answered that question during an Almaty Open press conference when asked on behalf of Tennishead.
Daniil Medvedev doesn’t think the ATP Finals should give Novak Djokovic a wild card if he fails to qualify
“No, I think no wild cards. The only thing, it is a wild card in a way: if you win a Slam and you’re not in the top eight, you get a spot, so that’s kind of a wild card already. I think this rule is good, and they should not add any other rule,” said Medvedev.
Give us one bold prediction for the final months of the 2026 tennis season!
Medvedev doesn’t believe the ATP Finals should award wild cards to players who fail to qualify for the event, but still backs Djokovic to challenge for a top-eight spot.
“Look, Novak still has two tournaments to try to make it, and in Beijing he played great. I didn’t see any of his matches in Shanghai. He has his chances,” he said.
“But if he’s there, everyone will be happy to see him there because also, he announced he’s going to play this year if he’s there. If he‘s not, that’s a part of life; let’s see what next year can bring to him.”
Djokovic sits 319 points outside the qualification places. With the Swiss Indoors (500 points) and the Paris Masters (1,000 points) still to play, the Serb could yet book his place in the year-end finals.
Live ATP Race to Turin
| Rank | Player | Country | Points | Status |
| 1 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 9,150 | Qualified |
| – | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 7,950 | Qualified – Won’t play |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 4,600 | Qualified |
| 3 | Ben Shelton | USA | 4,480 | Qualified |
| 4 | Flavio Cobolli | Italy | 3,540 | Qualifying |
| 5 | Daniil Medvedev | Russia | 3,460 | Qualifying |
| 6 | Frances Tiafoe | USA | 3,380 | Qualifying |
| 7 | Arthur Fils | France | 3,375 | Qualifying |
| 8 | Rafael Jodar | Spain | 3,159 | Qualifying |
| 9 | Alex de Minaur | Australia | 2,880 | Not qualifying |
| 10 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 2,840 | Not qualifying |
| 11 | Tommy Paul | USA | 2,625 | Not qualifying |
| 12 | Taylor Fritz | USA | 2,530 | Not qualifying |
| 13 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Spain | 2,510 | Not qualifying |
| 14 | Jakub Mensik | Czechia | 2,495 | Not qualifying |
He qualified in 2024 and 2025, although he chose not to compete. This year, Djokovic wants to play the ATP Finals, but he could miss out. Only time will tell if he can pick up the points he needs. Djokovic will return to action at the Swiss Indoors, which begins on Monday, October 26.
Daniil Medvedev begins Almaty Open title defence with dominant win
Looking to add another 250 points to his tally in his bid to reach the ATP Finals, Medvedev made the perfect start in Almaty. The Russian defeated Sho Shimabukuro, 6-2, 6-1, in 52 minutes.
“Usually, I like playing indoors; it was a great match, great score, great timing, happy with my level, and looking forward,” said Medvedev during his post-match interview when asked how he’s adapted to the conditions indoors.
Daniil Medvedev vs Sho Shimabukuro – Match stats
| Stats | Daniil Medvedev | Sho Shimabukuro |
| Performance rating | 8.4 | 6.5 |
| Serve quality | 9.4 | 7.4 |
| Unreturned serve % | 42% | 17% |
| First serve % | 79% | 70% |
| First serve points won % | 81% | 50% |
| Second serve points won % | 75% | 36% |
| Second serve average speed | 167 km/h | 158 km/h |
| Return quality | 8.7 | 7.3 |
| Break points won | 5/10 | 0/3 |
| Forehand winners | 7 | 3 |
| Backhand winners | 5 | 4 |
| Forehand unforced errors | 6 | 9 |
| Backhand unforced errors | 3 | 8 |
| Forced errors | 10 | 15 |
| Net points won | 9/14 | 8/10 |
| Baseline points won | 25 | 11 |
| Points won under nine shots | 54 | 25 |
| Points won over nine shots | 2 | 4 |
The Russian was then asked to reflect on last year’s Almaty Open, where he won his first ATP title since the 2023 Italian Open, defeating Corentin Moutet in the final.
“I was in a bit of a different position last year; I hadn’t won a title in a long time, so, for sure, especially coming into the final, I was a bit nervous. Here, it’s a bit different, but I’m chasing some other goals which require winning matches; I’m just trying my best and feeling great so far,” he said.
Medvedev will return to take on the Frenchman Terence Atmane in the Almaty Open quarter-finals on Friday, October 23. He could then meet Alexander Bublik, Fabian Marozsan, or Karen Khachanov in the semis.
