Novak Djokovic is set to make his return to the Paris Masters this coming week after missing the tournament in 2024 and 2025. The Serbian star last appeared at the event in 2023, when he defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the final to cap off a dominant season that included three Grand Slam titles and another final appearance.
Chasing ATP Finals Qualification
Currently, Djokovic is working to secure a spot at the ATP Finals and views the Paris Masters as his final opportunity to make a push for qualification. Tournament director Cedric Pioline spoke to the crowd about Djokovic’s upcoming first-round match against Valentin Vacherot, describing it as a magnificent match-up despite representing a tough draw for the veteran player.
Pioline pointed toward the later stages of Djokovic’s career while addressing the audience, advising fans to appreciate the tennis great. Pioline stated that the message is to make the most of Novak, noting that if this tournament is not his final appearance in Paris, it is perhaps his second to last, while highlighting the player’s record seven titles at the Rolex Paris Masters and 24 Grand Slam victories.
Looking Ahead to the Vacherot Match
Discussing the opening match, Pioline noted that Vacherot returned in good form following an injury earlier in the year and possesses significant quality in his game, while acknowledging that Djokovic is slightly less effective than he was in previous years due to age.
Djokovic enters the match seeking revenge following his previous and only other meeting against Vacherot, where the Monagasque player secured a straight-sets victory at the Shanghai Masters en route to the championship. Following that previous encounter, Vacherot described it as one of the easiest matches he had ever played after defeating the legend in roughly an hour and twenty minutes.
