By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, October 22, 2025Photo credit: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty
Novak Djokovic has pulled the plug on the City of Light.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has withdrawn from next week’s Rolex Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 event before the ATP Finals.
In a social media post announcing his withdrawal, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar said he hopes to play Paris in 2026.
Dear Paris, unfortunately I’ll not compete at this year’s @RolexPMasters. I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title 7 times. Hope to see you next year. Merci 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/y4iEmMYUAn
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 21, 2025
Dear Paris, unfortunately I’ll not compete at this year’s @RolexPMasters,” Djokovic wrote. “I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title 7 times.
“Hope to see you next year.”
Speaking at the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia last week, Djokovic said he plans to play in 2026 and cited veteran athletes from other sports—including Tom Brady and LeBron James—as inspirations he draws emotional fuel from in aiming to continue his career at age 40.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said at the Joy Forum. “I really want to see how far I can go. If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old, it is unbelievable.
“They are inspiring me as well, so I want to keep going, that is one of the motivations I have and then I want to also live to see, live meaning keep on playing professionally, what is coming for our sport and I am super excited about it.”
