 "Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals status debated as former tennis stars share their verdict: ‘He was in a good mood’")
Former tennis stars John Isner and Sam Querrey have delivered their verdicts on whether the 38-year-old Novak Djokovic will play in the ATP Finals 2025 or not. The ATP Finals will be played in Turin from 9 to 16 November, and while Djokovic was the third player to seal qualification for the prestigious event, the Serbian is yet to confirm his participation.
Djokovic recently pulled out of the ongoing Paris Masters, and the only tournament he is guaranteed to play in the remainder of 2025 is the Hellenic Championship in Athens, an ATP 250 event which replaces the tournament that earlier took place in Belgrade.
The Hellenic Championship is extremely important for Djokovic as his family now lives in Athens, Greece, and his brother is the tournament director. However, considering the fewer number of tournaments he has been playing lately, there’s a good chance he could skip the ATP Finals.
Isner and Querrey debate Djokovic’s ATP Finals participation
Djokovic did not play any tournaments between Wimbledon and the US Open 2025 and after the last Grand Slam, he has only played at the Shanghai Masters.
Djokovic’s possible absence or participation in the ATP Finals was discussed by Isner and Querrey on the Nothing Major podcast. The former world No 8 Isner feels the former world No 1 Djokovic is set to skip the tournament.
“I don’t think so. I hope I am wrong,” said Isner. “I think everyone would love to see him in Turin. The fact that he has already qualified playing the schedule that he has played this year is just completely absurd at 38 years old and it needs mentioning again.
“But I don’t think he’s playing. He didn’t play last year; he’s pulled out of Paris. So it looks like the top nine, in my estimation, are getting in.
“It would be a bit of a tough beat if you finished ninth and Novak decides to play. Last year, he didn’t, and number nine got in. I don’t think he is playing, I think he is gearing up for 2026.”
Former world No 11 Querrey, however, was more optimistic as he feels it would be a good opportunity for Djokovic to finally beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“I think he is playing,” the former American tennis player said. “Shanghai, it seemed like he was in a good mood. Maybe he goes to Turin and thinks: ‘I can beat Sinner or Alcaraz in two out of three.’ I think he is going to play, but you never know.”
Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as the biggest challengers for Djokovic, who last won a Grand Slam in 2023. Alcaraz and Sinner have won all the major titles in the last two years.
 "Trump rates talks with Xi ‘12 out of 10’. What was the outcome of the meeting?")
 "Trump, Xi ‘see eye to eye’ after 6 years — but it’s truce without treaty")
 "Are Putin and now Trump's nuclear tests signalling a new arms race?")
 "What Trump didn't discuss with Xi: 3 hot issues")
 "Trump rates talks with Xi ‘12 out of 10’. What was the outcome of the meeting?")
 "Trump, Xi ‘see eye to eye’ after 6 years — but it’s truce without treaty")
 "Are Putin and now Trump's nuclear tests signalling a new arms race?")
 "What Trump didn't discuss with Xi: 3 hot issues")
