Follow us on Google Discover Novak Djokovic still remains undecided on whether or not he will compete at this year’s ATP Finals, and for some, his delay is getting tiresome.
After all, he has been qualified for some time now, but his new, shorter schedule has made almost every event under threat of being cut from his calendar.
As a seven-time winner of the event, there’s no reason for him to want to keep competing, but the same could be said of almost every honour in the game.
With many journalists and pundits giving their verdict on Novak Djokovic’s continued delay, it was intriguing to finally hear players chime in. Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz have since offered their thoughts.
Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz deliver verdict on Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals delay
Although the question did not explicitly ask for their opinion on his delay, both players did provide their stance on the matter.
What they were actually asked was whether there should be a rule in place to stop such uncertainty, especially considering the event is due to begin in the coming days. Despite that, we remain unsure whether he will play, and therefore whether Lorenzo Musetti or Felix-Auger Aliassime will get the final spot.
Fritz began by claiming: “Obviously, when you’re on the fence, everyone’s not sure if you’re going to play. Yes, there’s inconveniences, but he’s earned that right in my opinion, for he’s qualified.
“It’s his decision if he wants to play or not play. And if he wants to wait on it and see how he feels, it does cause some inconveniences, but he’s earned it. He’s earned that right in my opinion.”
Alcaraz would concur, adding: “He has the right to do it. He has played this tournament many years. He has won this tournament many years. Obviously, for the promoter, for everything, it’s not the right situation, but it is his decision and we had to go with it and accept it.”
Despite the confusion surrounding his potential participation, the groups for the ATP Finals have been drawn, and Djokovic knows who he will have to play should he compete.
Novak Djokovic is in a strange position heading into the Hellenic Championship final
With the final of the Hellenic Championship set to take place later today, Djokovic finds himself in a strange and intriguing position.
After all, with the trophy cabinet he boasts, this is not a title he needs.
Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Meanwhile, his opponent, Musetti, will be more desperate than ever to taste silverware in Greece against one of the greatest players of all time.
Naturally, his overwhelming competitiveness will drive him to that goal, but he has an extra motivation, given the title in Athens would secure his spot in the ATP Finals; ironically, an event which Djokovic still seems undecided on.
If the serial winner wins this final, he will end Musetti’s hopes of qualifying for the event, instead handing the final spot to Auger-Aliassime. And yet, if he then decides not to take his spot, the Italian could still get in anyway.
Djokovic finds himself in a strange position regarding the ATP Finals for many reasons, but that will likely not impact his desire to claim the title later today.