The director of the Paris Masters questions Djokovic's latest decisions

Fernando Murciego - 1 Nov 2026 | 11:00
ATP Novak Djokovic Cedric Pioline ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2026

Cedric Pioline analyzes Djokovic's desire to play in the Paris Masters 1000, driven by qualifying for the upcoming ATP Finals. Why has the Serbian regained his enthusiasm for competing in these two events?

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Cédric Pioline, director of the Paris Masters, questions Djokovic's decisions: "It was hard for me to follow his logic." Source: Getty

After not competing in the tournament for the last two seasons, Novak Djokovic will indeed participate in the upcoming Rolex Paris Masters 2026, the last Masters 1000 of the current year. Why does he want to play now? Why this fight to reach Turin? Cédric Pioline, the head of the Parisian event, also doesn’t understand anything.

In a statement on the 'Retour Gagnant' program on Eurosport, the former French tennis player reviewed Djokovic's particular relationship with the Masters tournament. The Serbian qualified for the 2024 and 2025 editions but decided not to participate in either. However, this season, when he still needs to mathematically secure his spot, he has expressed his intention to attend Turin.

"I found it hard to follow his logic. In 2024 and 2025, he was qualified for the ATP Finals but didn't play. It's quite unique in the history of players who manage to qualify, because everyone dreams of competing in that tournament. And now, precisely when he is not qualified, he has announced that he wants to earn it and play," explained the former world number five at the beginning of the century.

Novak Djokovic and... a possible farewell in Paris?

Beyond this contradiction, the tournament director wanted to focus on something much more important: the privilege of continuing to enjoy Djokovic in competition. At 39 years old, the Serbian continues to pursue new goals, although Pioline believes that the passage of time is starting to become evident.

"He is 39 years old and, although he has announced that he wants to extend his career until Los Angeles 2028, we see that it is becoming increasingly difficult. It's natural; the body responds less, is slower, and needs more time to recover," reflected the director, who went through that phase when he retired back in 2002.

The Frenchman even left a reflection that invites looking at this edition of Paris with a hint of nostalgia. No one knows if Djokovic will compete in the tournament next season, so he considers it essential to take advantage of every opportunity to see him compete. "Will this be the last time we see him in the tournament? Will he be here next year? That uncertainty exists, so let's enjoy his coming to Paris," he concluded.

Djokovic thus faces an important week, both for his sporting ambitions and for what his presence may represent in the French capital. The draw has not given him too many favors either, as he will debut against Valentin Vacherot, with the possibility of later facing Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev. If this is indeed the last journey in the French capital, the path has not wanted to spare him a single curve.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El director del Masters de París cuestiona las últimas decisiones de Djokovic