In an unexpected twist for Novak Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is facing the possibility of missing out on the ATP Finals this year. With his participation in fewer tournaments than usual, Djokovic may need to travel to China to ‘farm points’—a term used for players chasing rankings—if he wants to secure his spot in the prestigious end-of-year event.

Despite Djokovic’s incredible season, including winning multiple Grand Slam titles, his ranking points have been affected by a selective tournament schedule. As the ATP Finals only welcome the top eight players in the world, Djokovic may now have to compete in additional tournaments, particularly the upcoming China Open or the Shanghai Masters, to solidify his ranking and gather enough points to qualify.

Historically, Djokovic has chosen a more tailored approach to his schedule, carefully selecting events to preserve his body and focus on the majors. However, this strategy has left him in a position where missing key ATP events could impact his overall points accumulation. The ATP Finals, considered one of the most prestigious non-Slam events in the tennis world, would be a significant tournament to miss, given Djokovic’s past success in the competition.

Tennis fans are buzzing with speculation about Djokovic’s potential return to China, where he has enjoyed success in the past. While he could likely still qualify based on his exceptional results at the Grand Slams, the ATP ranking system is built on points earned across a variety of tournaments, meaning Djokovic may have no choice but to ‘farm’ additional points to ensure his qualification.

As Djokovic weighs his options, the tennis world eagerly awaits to see if the champion will compete in China or risk missing one of the year’s biggest events.