Novak Djokovic is seeking to qualify for the ATP Finals for the ninth consecutive year.
The Serbian star has a lot of work to do to qualify for the high-profile end-of-year event, as he is currently 10th in the standings and trails the likes of Alex de Minaur, Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils.
Heading into the Paris Masters – the final event before the ATP Finals – qualifying for the ATP Finals was a matter that could not be controlled by Djokovic.
Alex de Minaur, ranked one place higher than Djokovic, saw his chances of reaching the finals increase exponentially following Rafael Jodar’s loss to Casper Ruud on Tuesday.
Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, has now been handed an ATP Finals lifeline.
Frances Tiafoe’s loss to Quentin Halys opens the door for Novak Djokovic
The race for ATP Finals qualification has burst into life.
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?
Frances Tiafoe, seventh in the race, has left the door ajar for Novak Djokovic to capitalise following his defeat to Quentin Halys on Wednesday afternoon.
Tiafoe squandered multiple match point opportunities before losing 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 at the Plenitude Arena in Paris.
Qualification for the ATP Finals is now in the hands of Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur, both of whom will play their second-round matches at the Paris Masters on Wednesday afternoon.
Tiafoe and Jodar will have to hope that De Minaur and Djokovic fall flat in their pursuit of ATP Finals qualification.
| 6 | Arthur Fils | 3,535 | |||||||
| 7 | Frances Tiafoe | 3,390 | |||||||
| 8 | Rafael Jodar | 3,234 | |||||||
| 9 | Alex de Minaur | 3,170 | |||||||
| 10 | Novak Djokovic | 2,940 | |||||||
| 11 | Taylor Fritz | 2,900 | |||||||
| 12 | Tommy Paul | 2,775 | |||||||
What does Novak Djokovic need to do to qualify for the ATP Finals?
Djokovic began his Paris Masters campaign on Tuesday, recovering from a set and a break down to triumph 6-7, 7-5, 6-1.
As a result, Djokovic increased his 2026 points total by 50 to 2,940 and now trails Rafael Jodar in the eighth and final qualification spot by only 230 points.
Djokovic will need to reach the semi-finals [400 points] to overtake Rafael Jodar and qualify for the ATP Finals.
Djokovic will also need to be wary of his other rivals. If Alex de Minaur qualifies and one of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul or Brandon Nakashima wins the Paris Masters title, Djokovic will not qualify for the end-of-year event.
