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Serbian seeks to defend title and remain World No. 1
May 24, 2024
Novak Djokovic slips to 14-6 on the season after falling in the Geneva semi-finals.
Pascal_Bitz/Gonet Geneva Open
Novak Djokovic slips to 14-6 on the season after falling in the Geneva semi-finals.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic had a clear message about his 2024 Roland Garros hopes after a disappointing semi-final exit to Tomas Machac at the Gonet Geneva Open Friday: I’m not the favourite and I have a lot to work on.

After unexpectedly taking a wild card into the ATP 250 in the hopes of running himself into form ahead of his title defense in Paris, Djokovic leaves Switzerland with question marks hanging over his form and fitness after battling an upset stomach the past two days.

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“Of course I am worried... I haven't been playing good at all this year,” Djokovic said when asked about his hopes of snapping his 2024 title drought at Roland Garros.

“[I’ve had] some [good] matches here and there but it is what it is. You have to accept it. I don’t consider myself a favourite there. I’m going to take it match by match and see how far I can go.”


The 24-time major champion called the tournament doctor to the court during a medical timeout at the end of the first set. He then turned around the match by racing through a love set, only to fade in the third when the Czech won the last six games of the match.

Asked if his stomach issue was related to something he ate, Djokovic said, “It was a terrible feeling with stomach and health today… it was not a great night and today as well.

“But I don’t want to take anything away from his win, he deserved it. I don’t know what to think about this match to be honest. I want to forget about it and move on to Paris.”

Djokovic, who turned 37 on Wednesday when he became just the third player in the Open Era to reach 1,100 match wins, is a modest 14-6 on the year as he begins his quest for a fourth Roland Garros title, and his third in four years.

“It was good that I could come here and play more than one match. I played three,” Djokovic said. “I just need to feel better. It’s not enjoyment when you are suffering on the court feeling this way. You’re not able to focus on tennis when you have other stuff happening. I just hope I can be fit and ready and prepared for Roland Garros.”

With Djokovic defending 2,000 points in Paris, he must reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros just to have a chance to remain World No. 1 the Monday after the event. Jannik Sinner, who has just 45 points to defend in the French capital after his second-round defeat last year, will begin the tournament No. 1 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. A player must be No. 1 in the 52-week PIF ATP Rankings to be declared a World No. 1.

Djokovic will begin his 20th Roland Garros campaign against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. He is seeded to meet Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. The Norwegian defeated Djokovic at the beginning of the clay swing at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Learn how Sinner can reach World No. 1 for the first time
May 26, 2024
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner can both leave Roland Garros as World No. 1.
Peter Staples/Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner can both leave Roland Garros as World No. 1.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner will begin Roland Garros at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and in pole position in his battle with Novak Djokovic to leave the clay-court major as World No. 1.

If Djokovic does not reach the Roland Garros semi-finals, Sinner will on 10 June become World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, which officially crowns players World No. 1. Doing so would make him the first Italian and 29th player overall to accomplish the historic feat.

Sinner can also control his own destiny by reaching the final at the season’s second Slam tournament. By doing so, even a Djokovic title would leave the Serbian 65 points behind the 22-year-old.

PIF ATP LIVE Rankings

Round Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic
R1 8,735 7,970
R2 8,775 8,010
R3 8,825 8,060
R4 8,925 8,160
QF 9,125 8,360
SF 9,525 8,760
F 10,025 9,260
W 10,725 9,960
Djokovic could force Sinner to reach the championship match by claiming the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the fourth time and second consecutive year.

If the 37-year-old Djokovic makes the final and loses there, Sinner would need to advance to the semi-finals to claim World No. 1.

If Djokovic reaches the semi-finals to give himself a chance to retain World No. 1 and loses in the last four, Sinner would just need to reach the second round to climb to the top of tennis’ mountain on 10 June.

Sinner is trying to become the sixth active player to reach World No. 1 and the first new No. 1 since Carlos Alcaraz following the 2022 US Open.

Djokovic has held top spot since the Monday after last year’s US Open, when he took it from Alcaraz. He has spent 427 total weeks at World No. 1 in his career.