Novak Djokovic will compete at next week’s ATP Finals in Turin, ending speculation over his fitness and confirming his return to one of tennis’s most prestigious stages, according to Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who recently withdrew from the Paris Masters, had raised doubts about his participation after struggling with a leg issue during an exhibition match against Taylor Fritz at the Six Kings Slam.
Djokovic was seen in visible discomfort before retiring from the match and subsequently pulling out of Paris, prompting concern that he might skip Turin for a second successive year.
However, Binaghi moved to reassure fans during an interview with Italian radio station Rai Gr Parlamento on Monday.
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“We have confirmation that Djokovic will be in Turin,” he said, confirming that the Serbian star will feature at the season-ending showpiece, which begins on November 10.
Djokovic’s presence will mark his record-equalling 18th qualification for the ATP Finals, matching Roger Federer’s long-standing benchmark.
The former world No 1 has been crowned champion at the event seven times, most recently in 2023, and remains unbeaten in Turin since the tournament moved there three years ago.
Novak Djokovic will compete at next week’s ATP Finals in Turin, ending speculation over his fitness and confirming his return to one of tennis’s most prestigious stages, according to Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation
|REUTERS
Novak Djokovic has won more Grand Slams than any male player in tennis history
Now 38, Djokovic has spent recent weeks fine-tuning his fitness by entering the ATP 250 tournament in Athens, where he faces Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match on Tuesday.
His decision to compete suggests confidence in his physical condition as he prepares for a demanding run on the indoor hard courts.
Last year, Djokovic qualified for the ATP Finals but opted not to play, citing a need to recover from an injury sustained late in the season.
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Novak Djokovic was recently forced to withdraw from the Paris Masters
|GETTY
This time, however, he appears intent on securing the crown and reinforcing his dominance at a venue that has brought him repeated success.
Djokovic’s participation also shapes the final stages of this year’s race to Turin, leaving only one remaining qualification spot still up for grabs.
Felix Auger-Aliassime currently occupies the final position after reaching the Paris Masters final, but Italian hope Lorenzo Musetti could yet snatch the place if he wins the ATP 250 title in Athens this week — a storyline that adds further intrigue for home fans.
Djokovic’s return is being viewed as a major boost for the tournament, which is expected to draw record crowds at the Pala Alpitour Arena.
Organisers see his participation as both a sporting highlight and a symbolic passing of the torch moment in men’s tennis, as the Serbian continues to fend off challenges from a new generation led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic has won the ATP Finals on seven separate occasions
|GETTY
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Those two rivals will, however, be the favourites to reign supreme.
Sinner recently beat Alcaraz to regain the world No 1 ranking, with the Italian formidable on hard-courts.
The pair have a combined 10 Grand Slam titles, with Sinner and Alcaraz winning two each in 2025.
Who comes out on top in Italy is something only time will tell.