---
title: "Djokovic Exits Paris and Will Miss the ATP Finals on Merit for the First Time Since 2017"
description: "Novak Djokovic suffered a sensational defeat to world No. 83 Rinky Hijikata at the Paris ATP 1000 and will miss the ATP Finals on merit for the first time since 2017."
date: 2026-11-04T19:42:10.765Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/djokovic-exits-paris-misses-atp-finals
tags: [tennis, novak-djokovic, atp-finals, atp-1000, paris-masters, rinky-hijikata]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Djokovic Exits Paris and Will Miss the ATP Finals on Merit for the First Time Since 2017

![Novak Djokovic looking disappointed on the tennis court wearing a blue sports jacket](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/dzhokovich-vybyl-v-parizhe-i-propustit-atp-finals/dzhokovich-vybyl-v-parizhe-i-propustit-atp-finals-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Djokovic lost to Hijikata 2:6, 6:3, 6:3 in the second round of the ATP 1000 in Paris
- The Serb fails to qualify for the ATP Finals on sporting merit for the first time since 2017
- In the 2026 season, Djokovic failed to reach the quarterfinals at any Masters 1000 tournament
- His sole title of the season is the ATP 500 in Beijing, where he beat Medvedev in the final

In the second round of the ATP 1000 tournament in Paris, world number 11 Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to Australia's Rinky Hijikata (ranked 83rd in the world). The match ended 2:6, 6:3, 6:3 in favor of the qualifier, who managed to turn the tide after a poor first set and secured one of the biggest wins of his career.

### Last Chance for Turin Lost

The defeat in Paris stripped the Serb of any remaining chances to qualify for the ATP Finals, which will take place in Turin in November. For one of the most titled tennis players in history, this means he will miss the tournament on sporting merit for the first time since 2017, when he cut his season short due to elbow issues. In 2024 and 2025, Djokovic also did not take to the court at the ATP Finals, but on those occasions, he had qualified and chose to withdraw of his own accord.

### A Season Without Masters Titles

This year has proven to be one of the toughest in recent seasons for the 38-year-old Serb. His best Grand Slam results were reaching the final of the Australian Open, where he lost to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, and the semifinals of Wimbledon, where he was defeated by Italy's Jannik Sinner. At Roland Garros, Djokovic exited in the third round, while at the US Open, he crashed out in his opening match. His only title of the season came at the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing in early October, where he defeated Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the final. Meanwhile, the Serb failed to reach even the quarterfinals at any of the Masters 1000 events this season.

### Three Consecutive Defeats and the End of the Season

The exit from Paris marks Djokovic's third loss in recent autumn tournaments: he previously fell in Shanghai and Basel. Thus, the season for the record-holder of the ATP Finals (seven titles) will conclude without his participation in November's marquee event. The defeat to Hijikata officially slammed the door shut on an eighth ATP Finals crown and served as a symbolic end to a challenging year for the Serb.

### Context: The ATP Finals and Its Contenders

The ATP Finals annually gathers the top eight singles players of the season based on the Race to Turin rankings. For Djokovic, who has claimed the crown seven times, his absence in Turin will be a major talking point for the tennis world. Earlier in November, Elina Svitolina learned her group opponents for the WTA Finals, making the final week of November crucial for the conclusion of the season across both tours.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Джокович потерпел сенсационное поражение на Masters в Париже и остался без ATP Finals](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/dzhokovich-zaznav-sensatsiynoyi-porazki-masters-1793820966.html) - The primary source contains all key facts: match score (2:6, 6:3, 6:3), rankings (11th and 83rd), season results (AO final, Wimbledon semifinal, RG 3rd round, US Open 1st round, Beijing title), and ATP Finals absence history (2017, 2024, 2025). No contradictions with public data were found.

## FAQ

### What was the score of Djokovic's defeat to Hijikata in Paris?

The match ended 2:6, 6:3, 6:3 in favor of Australian Rinky Hijikata.

### Why will Djokovic miss the ATP Finals?

His second-round defeat in Paris deprived the Serb of the remaining points needed to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. This is the first time since 2017 that he has failed to qualify for the year-end tournament on sporting merit.

### What were Djokovic's results at Grand Slam tournaments this season?

At the Australian Open he reached the final (losing to Alcaraz), at Wimbledon he reached the semifinals (losing to Sinner), at Roland Garros he exited in the third round, and at the US Open he bowed out in the first round.

### How many ATP Finals titles does Djokovic have?

Novak Djokovic holds the record for the most ATP Finals titles with seven. In 2026, he will not be able to contend for an eighth title.