ATP Race. Sinner's withdrawal sets up a battle between Djokovic and Jódar

Andrés Tomás Rico - 6 Oct 2026 | 19:57
ATP Race ATP Novak Djokovic Rafael Jódar Jannik Sinner ATP Finals 2026

The absence of the Italian for the remainder of 2026 opens the door for the Serbian and the Spanish to secure one of the last spots for the ATP Finals.
 

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ATP Race. Sinner's withdrawal creates a battle between Djokovic and Jódar.

The withdrawal of Jannik Sinner until 2027 has caused a shakeup in the world of tennis, especially regarding the ATP Finals. His absence frees up a spot that was already secured, so the competition among those who are in contention will be fierce until the end. Among them are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Jódar.

Sinner, along with Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, was one of the only players currently qualified for the ATP Finals. Meanwhile, Ben Shelton is very close to securing his spot, as the threshold is at 4,500 points and the American has 4,430 points. Thus, reaching the third round at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai would ensure his presence in Turin.

From Shelton onwards, the range of possibilities opens up. Flavio Cobolli occupies the fifth position with 3,540 points, followed by Frances Tiafoe with 3,380, Arthur Fils in seventh with 3,285 points, and Daniil Medvedev in eighth with 3,020 points, although the Russian suffered a deduction of 200 points for his disqualification at the ATP 500 in Beijing.

Djokovic and Jódar could compete for the last spot in the ATP Finals

And it is in the ninth position, which this year will be the limit due to Sinner's withdrawal, where Novak Djokovic appears as the newly crowned champion in Beijing, placing him with 2,840 points. However, his spot is by no means assured, as in the tenth position is Alex de Miñaur with 2,690 points. And in eleventh, Rafael Jódar with 2,519 points.

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Jódar's recent results, with early exits in the first rounds of the US Open and the ATP 500 in Tokyo, have hindered his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in his first year as a professional tennis player. However, his strong performances in the other eight months of competition still allow him to hope for a presence in Turin. But for this, he needs good results and to reach the final rounds both in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai and in the Masters 1000 in Paris.

Still, he should not lose hope because there is a possibility of further withdrawals among some players currently in qualifying positions. And he also has a good chance of entering as a substitute and being able to step in in case of injury to any of the eight qualified players.

There is also the possibility that, as has happened throughout much of the season and in recent years, Djokovic may not be physically able to endure the last two remaining Masters 1000 or may even withdraw from participating in the ATP Finals, as he has done in the last two years. Although in Beijing he stated that his goal for the end of the year is to play the ATP Finals.

But he should also keep an eye on the players behind him, as they may achieve significant results in this final stretch of the season. In his rearview mirror, he has Taylor Fritz with 2,490 points, Jakub Mensik with 2,405 points, Tommy Paul with 2,385 points, and Félix Auger-Aliassime with 2,375 points.

In short, a large number of players in a very tight space where everyone will give their best to be among the top eight of the ATP Finals in Turin. But both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Jódar have chances to secure that last coveted spot.

 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Race ATP. La baja de Sinner propicia una lucha entre Djokovic y Jódar