"Don't underestimate Djokovic: when he says he wants something, most of the time he achieves it"

Novak Djokovic has not yet said his last word. The Serbian has already made clear that his intention for the rest of 2026 is to qualify for the ATP Finals. However, it is more complicated than ever. While he raised hopes for qualification with his title at the ATP 500 in Beijing, his first-round defeat at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai was a cold shower. Still, he is alive and has options as long as he performs well in the two tournaments he will play before the event in Turin.

“I will certainly do everything possible to qualify for Turin. I would love to be there. I haven't played there since 2023, so it would be fantastic to return. Even before winning in Beijing, that was my goal,” he stated upon his arrival in Shanghai, where Hurkacz surprised him in the first round.

He has the ATP 500 in Basel lined up, where he received a last-minute invitation after the cancellation of the Six Kings Slam, and the Masters 1000 in Paris. Still, it doesn't only depend on him. Currently, he has Alex de Miñaur and Rafael Jódar ahead of him in the rankings. However, the withdrawal of Jannik Sinner means that the ninth-ranked player will also go to Turin, a position currently held by the Spanish tennis player.

Djokovic needs to get out the calculator to qualify for the ATP Finals in 2026

Djokovic has 2,840 points, De Miñaur has 2,880 points, and Jódar has 3,159 points. To surpass the Australian, he must have better results than him in Switzerland and France. But to overtake the Spaniard, he must win the title in Basel and at least reach the quarter-finals in Paris, while hoping for a couple of poor performances from the player from Leganés.

It seems a difficult task, but Djokovic has a strong backer in Greg Rusedski, former British number one and current analyst: “You should never count Djokovic out. Sinner is out, and suddenly, we might find ourselves saying: ‘Oh, Djokovic just won in Basel, Jódar is there, but what is happening?’, he imagined in the latest episode of his podcast.

Novak Djokovic is practically 10th in the race (Sinner is out for the year). He’s only 319 points behind #8 Jodar. He is playing Basel + Paris, and said he would love to compete at the ATP Finals. My prediction? We’ll see him there. https://t.co/GizKdTGrDd

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) October 18, 2026

Additionally, the Brit made a warning about the competitive hunger that the 24-time Grand Slam champion possesses: “All of this adds even more interest to the ATP tour right now. Don’t underestimate Nole: when he says he wants something, most of the time he gets it,” concluded Greg Rusedski, who is confident in seeing Novak Djokovic on November 15 in Turin.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "No subestimen a Djokovic: cuando dice que quiere algo, la mayoría de las veces lo consigue"