Novak Djokovic aims to ensure ATP Finals bid with stacked fall schedule

The former world No. 1 was unable to enter two majors in 2022 due to COVID-19 vaccine opposition, and plans to enter an event in Nur-Sultan before the Rolex Paris Masters.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Oct 01, 2022

MATCH POINT: N.DJOKOVIC DEF. V.POSPISIL ; TEL AVIV QF

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WATCH: Djokovic followed up his return to action at Laver Cup in Tel Aviv, where he is into the semifinals.

Novak Djokovic is stepping up his schedule in an effort to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, including playing this week's ATP event in Tel Aviv.

The 35-year-old is currently 15th in the standings for the elite eight-player event, but less than 700 points away from the No.8 position. That's providing the 21-time Grand Slam champ with motivation for the rest of the season.

"So the Grand Slam season is finished, but [there is also the ATP Finals in] Turin that I still didn't qualify for, I'm hoping I can make it, so that I'm able to play there," he told press at Tel Aviv.

Djokovic's schedule has been limited this season because he is not vaccinated against coronavirus, preventing him from meeting government entry requirements for Australian and North American tournaments. And he also did not get ranking points for winning Wimbledon, a consequence of the ATP Tour's decision to strip points from British grass-court events for not allowing Russian and Belarusian players.

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It's going to be probably the case more now than it ever was for me where I'm going to play some tournaments that are normally not fitting in my schedule, because my schedule is not what it was for 20 years. Novak Djokovic

That has kept his ranking down, but also created some room to add events like Tel Aviv this week along with Astana next week.

"It's going to be probably the case more now than it ever was for me where I'm going to play some tournaments that are normally not fitting in my schedule, because my schedule is not what it was for 20 years," he said.

"So I'm kind of more flexible, that's why I came in Israel, I'm going to Kazakhstan and then I'll see what I play.

"Still the schedule is to play Bercy and Turin but it depends what the reaction of my body is this week and next week and then I'll sit down with my team and decide what my schedule is for the rest of the season.''

The Serb is No.7 in the rankings.