Novak Djokovic now has a big decision to make that could alter his chances of winning a 25th Grand Slam title

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For the 18th time in his career, Novak Djokovic has qualified for the ATP Finals.

Despite featuring at just 12 tour-level events this season, Djokovic has amassed enough live points to book his place in the year-end tournament, held in Turin.

Though the Serb’s level is far from what it used to be, he is still performing at the highest level at 38 years of age, and is clearly the third-best player in the world at the moment after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic was not able to capture a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in 2025, but made the final four at each major.

His biggest challenge this year has been finding a way to battle past the ‘new two’, a task that he could not manage in three of four Grand Slam semifinals he appeared in, falling to Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and Alcaraz at the US Open.

Should Djokovic choose to enter the ATP Finals this year, he will likely run into one, if not both of them, again, which may prove incredibly beneficial for the 24-time major champion.

Novak Djokovic’s big chance at the 2025 ATP Finals

At this moment in time, Djokovic has made it clear that the new-look ATP 250 event in Athens is the only tournament he has officially pencilled in for the rest of the season.

Following Djokovic’s semifinal exit at the Shanghai Masters, he reemphasised in a press conference that he does not make long-term plans anymore, and stated he will soon make a decision on whether to play at the ATP Finals or not, having missed out last year due to injury.

If he does not opt into the tournament, set to take place in November, there is a good chance that he will not face either Sinner or Alcaraz until the 2026 Australian Open, a major that could mark Djokovic’s last best chance of clinching Grand Slam number 25.

While some may see this an ideal situation for him, Djokovic could gain an enormous amount of confidence with a win over either the Spaniard or the Italian at the ATP Finals.

Without taking into account exhibitions like the Six Kings Slam, Djokovic has lost his last five meetings with Sinner, and has suffered defeat in his most recent bout with Alcaraz at the US Open.

• 2023 Davis Cup Finals – Sinner beats Djokovic in the semifinals
• 2024 Australian Open – Sinner beats Djokovic in the semifinals
• 2024 Shanghai Masters – Sinner beats Djokovic in the final
• 2025 Roland Garros – Sinner beats Djokovic in the semifinals
• 2025 Wimbledon – Sinner beats Djokovic in the semifinals

Having not defeated either of them since January this year, a victory over one of the world’s best players at a big competition like the ATP Finals could be the catalyst for Djokovic to go all the way in Melbourne.

After all, Djokovic’s main focus in the twilight of his career is Grand Slams, and he will want to do anything to best prepare himself for them.

Novak Djokovic could surpass Roger Federer’s record in Turin

If Djokovic features in Turin, he will also match Roger Federer‘s record for the most appearances at the ATP Finals in history, with 17.

He matched the record qualification tally of Federer when securing his spot in this year’s event, with both now on 18.

In his 16 appearances, Djokovic has won the ATP Finals a record seven times, having also finished as the runner-up in 2016 and 2018.

While he is not the favourite this time around, his campaign in Italy may be about more than just the trophy.