Novak Djokovic has not played an official match since the semifinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, in which he was defeated by a deluxe version of Valentin Vacherot who won his first career Masters 1000 title. The former world number 1 also had some physical problems during his run in China, but he still participated in the second edition of the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia arriving at the very last moment.
He was defeated by Jannik Sinner in the semifinals as he had done the previous year, before retiring after losing the first set to Taylor Fritz in the final for 3rd/4th place. As everyone knows, the Serbian legend has decided to skip the Paris Masters 1000 scheduled for this week and it is not yet clear whether or not he will be present at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin from November 9 to 16.
Djokovic could face Tabilo
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old from Belgrade is preparing to return to action at the Athens ATP 250 where he dreams of winning the 101st title of his endless career. He does not have an easy potential path in the Greek capital and could take a risk already on his debut, especially if he were to be very far from his best shape. His first opponent in Athens will be the winner of the match between Adam Walton (whom he has never faced on the professional tour) and Alejandro Tabilo, who has never lost to the 24-time Grand Slam champion so far.
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Nole faced the Chilean at the Rome Masters 1000 in 2024 and the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 this year, taking two very clear victories against a very bad version of Djokovic. No one knows what the real conditions of Novak are, who has repeatedly admitted that he does not receive the same guarantees from his body as he had in the past.
His first press conference in Athens will be very interesting because he will certainly be asked a question about his participation in the Finals, with Lorenzo Musetti and Felix Auger-Aliassime who are competing for the last place for Turin.
