DJOKOVIC OPTS OUT PARIS MASTERS , SAYS NO POINTS TO WIN

Novak eyes on Vienna, chasing a prestigious record

 World No. 1 Novak Djokovic recently confirmed that he was not participating in Paris – Bercy. Last year he lifted his 5^th Paris Masters title defeating D. Shapalov 6- 3, 6-4. But this year he will not participate in Paris.

                 

Djokovic's holding Paris Masters Title last year. Image Courtesy: Instagram

                 

  Earlier this month Djokovic lost to World No. 2 Rafael Nadal 0- 6, 2- 6, 5- 7 in Roland Garros Final. But he continues to hold the No. 1 ranking since last 287 weeks. He is very close now to break Roger Federer’s all-time record of standing in No. 1 rank for 311 weeks. If Djokovic breaks this monumental record, it will be a very prestigious crown for him. The 17^th times Grand Slam champion so pulls out Paris Masters, as he is the champion of this tournament last year he can earn points from last year’s performance according to new revised ranking system. “ I won’t play in Paris as I can’t add to my points tally but I will go to Vienna and London” Djokovic told to Sports Zurnal recently.

                        “I can win up to 500 points in Vienna as I didn’t play there last year and there are also a lot of points available in London”, Djokovic told. The 33 years old Serbian won his 36^th ATP MASTERS crown in Rome before competing in Roland Garros. But World No. 2 Rafael Nadal confirmed he would enter the Paris Masters. His eyes will be on the record of most ATP Thousands Masters titles in which he is now a step behind from his arch rival while he is standing in 35 titles. If Nadal wins his first Paris Masters crown , he can equal the number. Nadal is also expected to play ATP FINALS in London next month.

Nadal starts practice for Paris. Image Courtesy: Instagram

   

                       Djokovic was asked if he is content to allow Nadal to equal him with Masters race, he replied “It’s not my priority. My immediate task is to collect as many points as I can in a bid to put as much distance between myself and chasing pack ahead of next season”.

                      “ I want to go down in history as the World No. 1 with the most weeks at the top of the ATP Tour and I will do all I can to make it happen”, he told about his focus on the record of holding the No. 1 rank for most weeks.

                        “Whether Nadal plays in Paris or not changes nothing because it’s all in my hands”, he said to Sports Zurnal.

                          The Serbian is confident to make history and he will also chase the Grand Slams race in Australia Open in January next year, where he will compete to win his record 9^th AO title and to take another step ahead of Federer to achieve the greatest hard court player crown.