PARIS — Organizers of the Paris Masters announced on Wednesday that defending champion Novak Djokovic will not be participating in this year’s tournament.

At 37 years old, Djokovic recently took part in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event last week, although no specific reason was provided for his withdrawal from the competition.

Djokovic boasts an impressive record with seven titles at the Paris indoor tournament, and his absence raises concerns about his ability to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals, where the top eight players compete.

Currently, Djokovic occupies the sixth position in the race for the ATP Finals. Meanwhile, four players—Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev—have already assured themselves a place in the prestigious season-ending event scheduled for November 10-17.

The Paris Masters is set to commence next week, and Djokovic’s decision not to participate will undoubtedly have implications for his chances of securing a spot in the finals.