Djokovic says health struggles are easing ahead of Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic said he is close to solving the health problems that have affected his season, as the Serb heads into the Paris Masters with a place at the season-ending ATP Finals in view. He opens his campaign against Valentin Vacherot later on Tuesday. The Paris tournament runs from Nov 2-8, and the ATP Finals follow from Nov 15-22.

A season shaped by health

Djokovic said the focus this year had shifted to feeling well on court rather than playing well. He said he had played few tournaments, as health had been a big struggle for most of the events he entered. He added that the problems had nothing to do with his preparation or how much he was training, and criticised commentators who offer expert opinions on what is happening with him.

The 39-year-old won his 102nd career title in Beijing last month, but he went out early at the Shanghai Masters and the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Earlier in the year he reached the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals, but he exited early at the French Open and the US Open. His last Grand Slam title came at the 2023 US Open, and he is still waiting for a record 25th major.

Race to Turin

Djokovic is 11th in the race to Turin, where the top eight qualify for the season finale. World No 2 Jannik Sinner is absent through injury.

Feeling better, looking ahead

Djokovic said his recent progress on court has been encouraging. "Whenever I felt better on the court, and lately that's been the case, we're getting closer to solving what I have been going through in the last 12 months," he said. He added that his performance level and his enjoyment on court were good, and that Beijing had been the best week of his year apart from Australia.

He also said he thought he had played well in Basel, despite losing a tight match there. For the final weeks of the season, he said, he wants to enjoy the tournaments and focus on feeling better on court, with his performance expected to follow.