By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Photo: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty
Novak Djokovic has pulled the plug on the City of Light.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s Rolex Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 event before the ATP Finals.
In a social media post announcing his retirement, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar said he hopes to play with Paris in 2026.
Dear Paris, unfortunately I will not be competing this year @RolexPMasters. I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to capture the title 7 times. Hope to see you next year. Mercy 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/y4iEmMYUAn
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 21, 2025
Dear Paris, unfortunately I will not be competing this year @RolexPMasters“I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to win the title 7 times.
“I hope to see you next year.”
Speaking at the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia last week, Djokovic said he plans to play in 2026 and cited veteran athletes from other sports — including Tom Brady and LeBron James — as inspirations from whom he draws emotional fuel as he aims to continue his career at age 40.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said at the Joy Forum. “I really want to see how far I can go. If you see in all the global sports, LeBron James he is still strong, he is 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40, it is unbelievable.
“They’re inspiring me as well, so I want to keep going, that’s one of the motivations I have and then I want to live to see, to live which means to keep playing professionally, what’s coming for our sport and I’m very excited about that.”
