Novak Djokovic withdraws from Paris Masters as Serb's new foe cashes in

Novak Djokovic will not play at this year's Paris Masters after withdrawing from the tournament and being replaced by a new player. The veteran Serb has endured a difficult year and remains without a title since his US Open triumph back in 2023. He recently reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters but was beaten by eventual champion Valentin Vacherot.

Djokovic was also in action at the Six Kings Slam, losing to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals before retiring from his third-place match against Taylor Fritz. He was scheduled to return to the court at the Paris Masters, which gets underway next week. However, it has been confirmed that Djokovic will play no part in the tournament after pulling out of the main draw.

He has been replaced by Benjamin Bonzi, who beat Daniil Medvedev as a qualifier in the first round of the US Open. Djokovic is still expected to play at the Athens Open, having recently moved his family to the Greek capital from his native Serbia.

Meanwhile, his new nemesis Vacherot has been awarded a wildcard for the Paris Masters after his incredible triumph in Shanghai. Terence Atmane, Arthur Rinderknech and Arthur Cazaux have also been given wildcards for next week's tournament.

Djokovic is the most successful player in the history of the ATP 1000 event, having taken the trophy home on seven previous occasions. He also withdrew from last year's tournament due to fitness concerns.

His decision to pull out of next week's competition comes amid ongoing questions over his future at the highest level. Rennae Stubbs recently suggested that Djokovic was fighting a losing battle and said there was 'no reason' for him to still be playing.

"It just looks like he doesn't have quite enough on the ball," said Stubbs. "He's not imposing himself enough. He's not serving as great as he used to when he won a lot of these big tournaments and big matches.

"At some point it catches up with you and you just wonder, how long is he going to do this for? I hope I am wrong. I want him to keep playing, but I just feel like, is he going to want to keep just grinding until the French Open and Wimbledon again?

"That's nine months away essentially. So is he going to grind and play Indian Wells and Miami and Monte Carlo and all these tournaments again just to get to the French?

"He's not trying to win another Masters 1000 or a 500, he has got all the records, there is no reason for him to play anymore. I just think mentally it's such a grind."

Djokovic has insisted there are no immediate plans to retire, though, saying ahead of the Six Kings Slam: "It's not happening. I'm sorry to disappoint them. It's just not happening."