After the US Open, the season enters its final half. The final Grand Slam of 2024 topped Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who have been the perfect on the onerous courtroom of Flushing Meadows and achieved a tremendous end result. Within the males’s tour, the Italian ace was probably the most constant participant this yr, proving to deserve the primary place within the ATP rating.
The 23-year-old from San Candido has received two Majors and two Masters 1000, struggling solely 5 defeats within the season. Carlos Alcaraz hit report highs in 2024, changing into the youngest participant to win the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships in the identical yr. The younger Spaniard additionally received the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and silver medal on the Paris Olympics, however he didn’t have the identical regularity as Sinner in the remainder of the season.
Alexander Zverev was additionally very constant and he’s the brand new World No.2, however he all the time lacks one thing to lastly win a Grand Slam title. The following massive match would be the Masters 1000 in Shanghai initially of subsequent month, preceded by some tournaments in China and Japan.
Shanghai loses Korda and Norrie
Shanghai will see all the highest gamers, together with 24-time Grand Slam champion and tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who will return to China after a number of years of absence. The previous world #1 has already mentioned that he received’t be enjoying a lot on this latter a part of the season and that the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin will not be his purpose.
Just a few hours in the past, it was introduced that Sebastian Korda and Cameron Norrie won’t be competing on the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, which can happen from 2nd to thirteenth October. The younger American has suffered an elbow harm and won’t be able to defend the semi-final reached final yr, whereas the British participant is grounded since July because of an forearm harm.
The return of Djokovic
The wait in Shanghai is very for Djokovic, who has received this match 4 instances however his final look dates again to 2019. Talking with China Every day, Michael Luevano – match director – opened up on Nole’s affect on ticket gross sales: “Novak despatched a message to all his followers in China saying his return, and the already overcrowded ticket workplace was overloaded. The response to his return was wonderful.”
The Serbian legend has already missed a number of tournaments this yr and rating is now not a purpose at this level in his profession. After enjoying the Davis Cup with Serbia, Nole admitted that the Shanghai Masters 1000 and the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia might be his final two occasions in 2024.
“I assumed that I might by no means have to hunt motivation anyplace, all of it used to return naturally – mechanically – however that has not been the case in the previous few years. With a purpose to extend my profession, I must get pleasure from, I want to decide on correctly tournaments I’m going to play. I’m not enjoying, that received’t change” – Djokovic defined.
He continued: “After that, I’m going to see what am I going to do. Normally in my profession I used to have my schedule prepared six months prematurely, however these days that’s not the case, now it’s extra spontaneous. Firstly, I must bodily, emotionally and mentally relaxation to be able to even begin considering what I need to do subsequent, in what means, how a lot and the place.
Torino will not be my purpose in any respect, to be sincere, I’m not chasing ATP Finals, I’m not chasing the rankings and many others,” he defined. “So far as I’m involved, I’m accomplished with these tournaments for my profession. Whether or not I’ll play different tournaments this yr or sooner or later, I can’t say proper now. My important priorities are enjoying for the nationwide crew and Slams, the whole lot else is much less essential.”
The present world quantity 4 has not been sensible for many of this season, wherein he didn’t win a single title. Nole reached the ultimate on the Wimbledon Championships, however was defeated by an enormous Alcaraz on the Centre Court docket. Novak may be proud to lastly win the gold medal on the Paris Olympics, changing into a residing legend of the game.
The sensation is that the 37-year-old from Belgrade desires to be 100% for the beginning of subsequent season, particularly for the Australian Open, the place he’ll attempt to elevate his eleventh trophy. Djokovic will flip 38 in 2025 and it might actually be the final good yr so as to add extra titles to his countless wall. The Serbian ace might lose many positions within the ATP rating between now and the top of the season.
