After recently casting doubts over his title defense at the season-ending ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic admits that he is unsure if he will play any more tournaments beyond next month.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion recently told Serbian media that he has no intention of chasing after a qualifying spot for the ATP Finals in Turin where only the eight highest-ranked players will qualify. Djokovic sits in ninth place but is only 45 points behind Alex de Minaur. It is possible that a strong run at the next couple of events could secure him a place in Turin.
However, the world No.4 is considering possibly ending his season early. He has yet to win an ATP title this year but did claim gold at the Paris Olympics Games. In the Grand Slams, his best runs were to the final at Wimbledon and the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
We were having dinner last night and I said to the guys that probably for the first time in my career I really don’t have a long-term plan,” Djokovic told reporters in Bulgaria on Tuesday.
“I really try to be in the moment and see what happens. I’m going to be playing here (in Sofia), I’m going to be playing in China and I will play an exhibition in Saudi and that’s all I know.
In recent months, the 37-year-old explains that his focus is now more on the main events of the sport as he tries to balance life on the Tour with his family commitments. He has two children Tara and Stefan who are both under the age of 10 with his wife Jelena.
“I’m going to see how I feel. Family life is also extremely important to me, trying to be there for my children, for my wife and be part of the everyday normal life as I wasn’t for many years because of the nature of my profession,” he explained.
“I had to travel a lot and be absent so I have to balance things out so let’s see.
“I am driven by records and results, of course, that’s no secret. That’s a big objective but I also have to prioritize certain tournaments over others.”
Djokovic took part in a charity exhibition match against Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday evening which he lost 6-4, 2-6, [10-6]. Proceeds from the match went toward Dimitrov’s foundation. Among those watching in the crowd were Dimitrov’s coach Daniel Vallverdu, former players Manuela Maleeva, Katerina Maleeva and Magdalena Maleeva, the President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Stefka Kostadinova and former footballer Dimitar Berbatov.
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