Novak Djokovic Disputes Italian Tennis President’s Claim on ATP Finals Entry: “Don’t Know Where He Got This Information”

The ATP Finals is around the corner, and the tennis world wants to know whether Novak Djokovic will be playing in it. Djokovic lifted the title in 2023 by defeating World No.1 Jannik Sinner, but decided not to defend it last year as his focus at this stage of his career is only on lifting his 25th Grand Slam title.

He has already qualified for the year-end championships, which is scheduled to start on November 9. Amidst speculation about his withdrawal, Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, recently announced that Djokovic will be going to Turin, only for the Serb to deny the same.

Djokovic is in Athens, participating in the first edition of the ATP 250 Hellenic Championship. After beating Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets in his opening round, Djokovic was asked at the press conference whether Binaghi was right to say that he would be playing the ATP Finals.

I don’t know where he got this information from; certainly not from me or my team. I will make my decision at the end of this tournament.

Before Athens, Djokovic last played an official tournament at the Shanghai Masters, where his campaign came to an end with a straight-set defeat to eventual champion Valentin Vacherot in the semifinals. Djokovic next featured in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, where, just like last year, he lost to eventual winner Sinner in the semifinals and later retired mid-match during his third-place match against Taylor Fritz.

He beat Tabilo for the first time in his career following two consecutive defeats. His next-round opponent is Nuno Borges, whom he will be meeting for the first time in his career. Before scheduling the match against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, the Portuguese ace knocked out home favorite Stefanos Sakellaridis and America’s Eliot Spizzirri.

Novak Djokovic on playing in Greece

Novak Djokovic and his family has relocated to Athens, and if the reports are to be believed, it was because he supported the student protest against the Serbian government. The reason he played in the ATP 250 event is also because his brother, Djordje Djokovic, is the tournament director. Following his opening-round win, the 38-year-old was asked about whether playing in Greece feels like home to him.

And I’m still working on my Greek, but… and I would agree with you, you know, it feels really like home playing in Athens. A few months ago, when I came here with my family, you know, I really was very excited because I always love Greece. Serbians, all of Serbia loves Greece for sure. And historically and culturally and religiously, we have a lot of things that are connecting us.

Novak Djokovic said during the on-court interview

The Hellenic Championship replaced the Belgrade Open on the ATP calendar. A total of 28 players are participating, and Nole is the top seed.

So, it was amazing to experience the great hospitality of the Greek people, which is that Greece is globally very famous for. But you know, more than recognition for my tennis achievement, I felt like people approached me in almost a friendly, humane way, and that’s something that really touched my heart. So Athens is in my heart. No, no question about it.

Novak Djokovic added

Before the Athens event, Djokovic skipped the Paris Masters, where in 2023, he lifted his career’s last Masters 1000 title. In Athens, Djokovic is chasing his second title of the season, with the first being the ATP 250 Geneva Open, which he clinched by defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. Apart from Geneva, Djokovic also reached the Miami Open final but failed to beat Jakub Mensik.

Also read: David Ferrer Responds to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Absence from Davis Cup

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