Novak Djokovic hits 21-year low after shock Paris Masters defeat to Rinky Hijikata

Novak Djokovic lost to Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Paris Masters.

After Djokovic beat Valentin Vacherot in the first round, many wondered if he could make a deep run at the Paris Masters. Unfortunately for the Serb, it wasn’t to be, as he lost to Hijikata in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6.

Losing to Hijikata, Djokovic failed to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time since 2017. He also hit a 21-year low at the Masters 1000 level, completing his worst campaign since 2005.

Novak Djokovic fails to reach a Masters 1000 quarter-final in a season for first time since 2005

The record 40-time Masters 1000 champion won only three matches at the level this year. Djokovic defeated Kamil Majchrzak and Aleksandar Kovacevic in Indian Wells and Vacherot in Paris.

He didn’t reach a single Masters 1000 quarter-final this season, signifying a real fall from grace for one of the greatest players of all time. He last failed to reach a Masters 1000 quarter-final in a full season back in 2005.

Novak Djokovic’s 2026 Masters 1000 campaign (3-5)

• Indian Wells – Fourth round (Lost to Jack Draper)
• Miami Open – Did not play
• Monte Carlo Masters – Did not play
• Madrid Open – Did not play
• Italian Open – Second round (Lost to Dino Prizmic)
• Canadian Open – Did not play
• Cincinnati Open – Second round (Lost to Thiago Agustin Tirante)
• Shanghai Masters – Second round (Lost to Hubert Hurkacz)
• Paris Masters – Second round (Lost to Rinky Hijikata)

Novak Djokovic’s 2005 Masters 1000 campaign

• Indian Wells – Did not play
• Miami Open – Did not play
• Monte Carlo Masters – Did not play
• Hamburg Masters – Did not play
• Italian Open – Did not play
• Canadian Open – Qualifying second round (Lost to Davide Sanguinetti)
• Cincinnati Open – First round (Lost to Fernando Gonzalez)
• Madrid Open – Qualifying first round (Lost to Ivo Karlovic)
• Paris Masters – Third round (Lost to Tommy Robredo)

In 2005, Djokovic only played four Masters 1000 events, reaching the main draw twice. After losing in the first round of the Cincinnati Open, Djokovic won his first two Masters 1000 matches in Paris before losing to Tommy Robredo in the third round.

The Serb won only one more match in 2026 than he did 21 years ago, perhaps signalling that his time at the top of men’s tennis is over. Failing to qualify for the ATP Finals, Djokovic will finish 2026 ranked outside the top 10.

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This will be the fifth season Djokovic has finished outside the top 10 after 2004 (186th), 2005 (78th), 2006 (16th), and 2017 (12th). Whether he can bounce back in 2027 remains to be seen.

What can Novak Djokovic achieve in 2027?

Djokovic will turn 40 in May next year. No player, male or female, has won a singles Grand Slam title past 37, never mind 40. Djokovic is still searching for his record-extending 25th major title, but that dream seems to be slipping away.

He could, however, win smaller events, as he did in Beijing last month. Djokovic rolled back the years, defeating Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Alex de Minaur in consecutive matches to win the China Open.

Djokovic has won 102 ATP titles, which places him third in the Open Era record books, behind Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109). Connors may be out of reach, but Djokovic will surely fancy his chances of at least tying his former rival Federer on 103 titles.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Djokovic, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action. He is expected to return at the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.