Taking on Spain\u2019s Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, the Serbian legend was going to need to produce something special if he wanted to upset the man 16 years his junior.<\/p>\n Unable to do so, Djokovic lost to Alcaraz<\/a> in straight sets, 4-6, 6-7, 2-6, as he finished the year without an appearance in a major final for the first time since 2017.<\/p>\n With fans wondering when they will see Djokovic return to ATP Tour<\/a> action, all signs are pointing towards the 38-year-old withdrawing from another \u2018big\u2019 tournament.<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic set to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters<\/p>\n In the lead-up to the event, promotional material has been released for the upcoming Shanghai Masters<\/a> tournament.<\/p>\n Eagle-eyed fans noticed that Djokovic<\/a> hasn\u2019t been mentioned, and was a notable absentee on the event\u2019s poster.<\/p>\n The likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton<\/a>, and Taylor Fritz are all featured, but Djokovic is nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n His absence doesn\u2019t come as too much of a surprise, given his post-match comments in New York.<\/p>\n The Serb didn\u2019t sound up for playing too many more tournaments before the year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m planning to play the Athens tournament, that\u2019s for sure. But other than that, it\u2019s really still a question mark where I\u2019m going to go and what I\u2019m going to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Djokovic is currently pencilled in for the Athens ATP 250 event and the Six Kings Slam<\/a> exhibition tournament in 2025.<\/p>\n His participation in Athens may seem strange, but it makes more sense when you know the full story\u2026<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic has moved his family to Greece<\/p>\n Greek site \u2018Tennis news<\/a>\u2018, reported that Djokovic has moved his family to Greece, renting a house in Glyfada, Athens.<\/p>\n Djokovic\u2019s two children have been enrolled in a nearby school and were seen practising at the local tennis club, \u2018Kavouri Tennis Club\u2019, recently.<\/p>\n In an interesting turn of events, the Belgrade Open, a tournament ran by Djokovic\u2019s family, was moved to Athens earlier this year, for political reasons.<\/p>\n Despite the move, Djokovic still intends to compete in the event and will likely do so as the number-one seed and tournament favorite.<\/p>\n Whether he will appear at any other events before the end of the year remains to be seen, but it will certainly be something to look out for.<\/p>\n Serbia\u2019s Davis Cup captain gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic\u2019s absence<\/p>\n Djokovic had an opportunity to make a swift return to action at the Davis Cup<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n Serbia are set to play Turkey in a World Group tie, although Djokovic won\u2019t be making the trip back home.<\/p>\n Instead, the team will be led by top-100 stars Miomir Kecmanovic and Hamad Medjedovic.<\/p>\n Serbia\u2019s Davis Cup squad vs TurkeyMiomir KecmanovicHamad MedjedovicBranko DjuricStefan LatinovicMatej Sabanov<\/p>\n Sharing his thoughts on Djokovic\u2019s absence, Serbia\u2019s Davis Cup captain, Victor Troicki, had this to say.<\/p>\n \u201cNovak [Djokovic], who played in the semi-finals of the US Open, is not with us; a place is reserved for him in the team whenever he is available,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Djokovic explained just how important the Davis Cup<\/a> is to him, suggesting he values the event more than the four Grand Slams.<\/p>\n![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2232799967-1024x638.jpg\")
Photo by KENA BETANCUR\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Novak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2234037382-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Maddie Meyer\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Novak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2171082163-1024x717.jpg\")
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic\/Getty Images<\/p>\n