Djokovic has 102 career titles. Federer has 103. The next trophy would move Djokovic second on the all-time list, with only Jimmy Connors and his 109 standing further out, according to the ATP.

He has pointed to a single tournament to try to get there.

“I would like to play the Nitto ATP Finals. I am planning on only playing in Paris, so let’s see. Hopefully I can have a good result there,” he told reporters in Shanghai.

The quote came after his second-round loss to Hubert Hurkacz on Friday, October 9. Hurkacz won 6-4, 6-3 in 87 minutes, his first win in nine meetings against the Serbian. Djokovic had lifted his 102nd career title at the China Open in Beijing three days earlier.

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“Beijing was great, and a very early exit here, but it is OK,” he said.

“I had a great week in Beijing, and I look forward to resting a little bit and get ready for the indoors.”

Djokovic sits ninth in the Race to Turin

The second prize in Paris is a seat at the Nitto ATP Finals. Djokovic is ninth in the live ATP Race on 2,840 points, with Alex de Minaur tenth on 2,690 and Rafael Jódar eleventh on 2,519.

Only eight men make the trip to Turin. Jannik Sinner, second in the Race, has ended his season with a knee injury, which effectively bumps Djokovic into the final qualifying spot for now.

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Both de Minaur and Jódar are still playing in Asia. With Djokovic only entering one more event, either rival can overtake him with a deep run elsewhere. Reaching at least the quarterfinals in Paris would earn Djokovic 200 points and protect his place.

No Athens event this year

Djokovic has skipped the Paris Masters in each of the last two seasons for the Athens Open, an event run by his family. There is no Athens tournament on the 2026 calendar, which brings him back to the venue he has won a record seven times.

Hurkacz was clear-eyed about who had been on the other side of the net.

“It’s a special night. He just won Beijing, so it’s very difficult to play against him, but it’s a pleasure for me to share a court with him and play such a legend of the sport.”

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The 2026 Rolex Paris Masters runs from October 31 to November 8 at La Défense Arena in Nanterre, with the final on November 8.

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