Novak Djokovic is in danger of failing to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time since 2017.
The Serbian superstar is currently 11th in the race and needs to conclude his season in the ninth spot or higher to qualify for the prestigious end-of-year event.
Djokovic remains in the qualification race, despite having competed in only nine events across 2026 so far.
For context, Alex de Minaur has competed in 22 ATP Tour events so far this year, and he sits just one place above Djokovic in the race.
Madison Keys, the 2025 Australian Open Women’s Singles champion, has lauded Djokovic in her latest podcast episode.
Madison Keys praises Novak Djokovic’s ‘crazy’ efficiency on the ATP Tour
“The fact he plays four tournaments a year and he is this close to making year end finals is crazy,” Keys, ranked 21st on the WTA Tour, said of Djokovic while speaking to top-five star and compatriot Jessica Pegula on the Player’s Box Podcast.
How would you feel if Novak Djokovic got a wildcard to the ATP Finals?
Is there any changes you’d make to the current qualification system?
“He is still so good. He is always in the mix, a contender for the title and you are like he hasn’t played in four weeks, but he could win!”
“Nobody wants to play him. You never want to play him,” Pegula chimed in. “I don’t care if he is sick and having problems, you are still thinking pass!”
Keys concluded the discussion by reflecting on Djokovic’s gold-medal winning campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match, Djokovic admitted that he had been fighting an ‘internal battle’ concerning his self worth.
“He is also the same guy that before he won the gold medal in Paris was speaking like he was a failure and that he hasn’t accomplished enough, so him trying to make another finals is not surprising,” Keys remarked.
Djokovic will attempt to boost his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals this week when he competes in the Basel Open.
| Player | Position in the ATP Finals race | Live ATP Finals points |
| Daniil Medvedev | 4 | 3660 |
| Flavio Cobolli | 5 | 3640 |
| Arthur Fils | 6 | 3425 |
| Frances Tiafoe | 7 | 3380 |
| Rafael Jodar | 8 | 3159 |
| Alex de Minaur | 9 | 2930 |
| Novak Djokovic | 10 | 2840 |
The Serbian superstar has been handed a difficult draw in Switzerland and will face indoor hard-court specialist Ugo Humbert in the first round.
If Djokovic advances to the second round, he will play either Yannick Hanfmann or Jan-Lennard Struff – who recently reached the Brussels Open final.
Novak Djokovic’s last ATP Finals performance
Djokovic last competed at the ATP Finals in 2023.
The Serbian superstar came second in his round robin group after beating Hubert Hurkacz and Holger Rune, and losing to Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic then advanced to the final with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serb proceeded to avenge his group stage loss to Sinner, beating the Italian 6-3, 6-3 in the championship spectacle.
“It’s one of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, no doubt,” Djokovic, who accomplished a 55-6 record on the year, said afterwards.
“To crown it with a win against a hometown hero in Jannik, who has played amazing tennis this week, is phenomenal. I’m very proud of the performances these past two days against Alcaraz and Sinner, probably the best two players in the world next to me and Medvedev at the moment — and the way they have been playing, I had to step it up.
“I had to win the matches and not wait for them to hand me the victory and that’s what I’ve done. I think I played different tactically than I did in the group stage against Jannik, and just overall it was a phenomenal week.”
