Djokovic misses season-ending Masters for first time since 2017 after Paris loss to Hijikata
Novak Djokovic will not play in the 2026 season-ending Masters. The Serb was knocked out in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday by Australia's Rinky Hijikata, the world number 83, in three sets (2-6, 6-3, 6-3). The defeat ends a run of consecutive qualifications for the tournament featuring the season's eight best players, which began in 2018.
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The Paris event was shaping up as decisive for the Serb. Still in the running for a place at the Masters in Turin, scheduled for 15 to 22 November, Novak Djokovic needed to reach the semi-finals to have any hope of securing his ticket. But the 39-year-old failed to get past Hijikata, despite a convincing start to the match.
In the first set, the former world number one quickly took control of the rallies. Solid on serve, getting 79% of his first serves in, and more effective in attack, he wrapped up the set 6-2. But the rest of the match took a different turn. More aggressive, Rinky Hijikata gradually grew in confidence and pushed his opponent to the limit. After securing the break in the second set, the Australian levelled at one set all (6-3).
The third set confirmed the growing strength of the world number 83. Struggling on his own serve, Djokovic racked up double faults at key moments. One at 3-3 cost him his serve, before two more at 5-3 allowed Hijikata to close out the match. The Australian thus claims his first win over the Serb, after two defeats in 2025.
An eight-year run comes to an end
This exit has a major consequence for Novak Djokovic. For the first time since 2017, the holder of 24 Grand Slam titles will not take part in the season-ending Masters, a tournament he has won a record seven times. He had in fact qualified in 2024 and 2025, but ended up not playing in the event.
The defeat of Australia's Alex de Minaur by Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry (7-6, 6-3) a few hours earlier had revived the Serb's chances. But he failed to take advantage of that opening to extend his run towards Turin.
For the past two seasons, Djokovic has considerably adapted his schedule. The veteran now prefers to be more selective about the tournaments he enters, in order to preserve his body and concentrate his efforts on the big occasions, notably the Grand Slams. His goal remains, in particular, a 25th major title, which would allow him to improve on his own record.
Asked about the rest of his schedule after his exit, the Serb made no secret of his desire to take a break: “I can't wait to rest,” he said in the mixed zone.
At 39, this early exit from the Paris Masters marks another turning point in the Serb's season. Though he remains one of the most decorated players in tennis history, Djokovic will now have to settle for following from a distance as the year's best players gather in Turin.