Novak Djokovic Makes ‘Hurt’ Admission After Basel Exit and Reveals Whether He’ll Play in Paris

Novak Djokovic‘s Swiss Indoors campaign ended in disappointment. On Thursday (October 29), the Serb suffered a 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(5) defeat at the hands of Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.

Djokovic wants to qualify for the ATP Finals, which starts on November 15 in Turin. Though the seven-time ATP Finals champion is still in contention, his path to qualification after his latest defeat has grown harder. Following his defeat, Djokovic was asked whether the three double faults he hit near the end of the second set were crucial.

No, I don’t think those three double service faults were the deciding factor. I think it’s just that in the decisive moments, when I had break points, many times in the second and also at the beginning of the third set, he played some incredible shots and incredible points.

Novak Djokovic said (H/T: Sportal)

Djokovic played in Basel for the fourth time in his career. He won here for the first time in 2009 by defeating Roger Federer and lost to him in the final the following year.

Maybe there were one or two points where I could have been more aggressive, but all credit goes to him. It hurts that I lost, you know, he just played amazing tennis. I don’t remember playing against someone who was this aggressive and this precise. He went with two first serves, and it was just one of those matches.

Novak Djokovic added

There’s now uncertainty about Nole’s participation in Paris, where he has not played since winning a record-extended 40th Masters 1000 title in 2023. Djokovic sits 11th in the race to Turin. Only Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton have booked a spot in the final eight.

I’ve only just come off the court, so I’m still disappointed, but I’ll be thinking about Paris in the next few days, and hopefully I can play better there.

Novak Djokovic added

If Djokovic doesn’t qualify for the ATP Finals, then it will be the first time since 2017 that he will fail to qualify. The 39-year-old is a seven-time champion in the year-end championships, last winning in 2023 by beating Jannik Sinner. He skipped the tournament in the previous two seasons.

Two-time champion Sinner will not play in the French capital as he has already ended his season. Sinner is nursing a knee injury and last played in the Wimbledon final, where he defeated Zverev.

Jan-Lennard Struff reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic

Jan-Lennard Struff scheduled his quarterfinal match against Nuno Borges after upsetting Novak Djokovic. The German registered his first career victory over Djokovic after eight consecutive defeats.

Last eight times he beat me very, very easily. So, very, very happy and pleased with the performance. We’re very close to Germany here, and I think it was an amazing atmosphere to play in. Novak had a lot of supporters as well, but I heard a lot of ‘Struff’ shouts as well, so I’m very happy. I really appreciate the support.

Jan-Lennard Struff said during his on-court interview (H/T: The Tennis Gazette)

The 36-year-old has played five finals so far this season, winning one title at the 2024 Bavarian Championships. This year, he has played one final at the European Open, losing the match to Tallon Griekspoor.

Djokovic, on the other hand, has played two finals this season, losing the Australian Open to Carlos Alcaraz and winning the China Open after receiving the walkover from Alex de Minaur. Before arriving in Basel, Djokovic lost in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters, his fourth opening-round defeat this season after the Italian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open.

Also read: Juan Carlos Ferrero Says His Relationship With Carlos Alcaraz Was ‘Not at All Paternal’