Novak Djokovic will not compete in the ATP Finals in Turin after a shocking second-round defeat to qualifier Rinky Hijikata at the Paris Masters. This marks the second time in two decades that the 39-year-old Serbian has failed to qualify for the season-ending event when fit.

Djokovic likely required a semi-final appearance in Paris to secure his spot, despite a draw that had begun to open up for him. However, he fell to world number 83 Hijikata with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

As Hijikata elevated his play towards the end of the second set and throughout the final set, Djokovic, who appeared physically labored, made a series of unforced errors, concluding his season.

"I'm looking forward to it," Djokovic said when asked about his plans for the coming weeks, which involve "just rest."

He acknowledged his opponent's strong performance, stating, "He played really amazing tennis and it was my fault to let the control of the match go." Djokovic added that Hijikata "was switched on, I wasn't serving as well and he was just playing out of his mind, honestly. He was not missing and keeping the ball low and just a terrific performance."

Despite reaching the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals this year, Djokovic has not reached the quarter-finals in any Masters 1000 event. His last Grand Slam title was at the US Open in 2023.

Qualification for Turin would have offered him an opportunity to win a record eighth ATP Finals title. Now, only Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remain in contention for the final two available spots, currently held by Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar. Djokovic had not missed qualification when healthy since 2017.

Earlier on Wednesday, Tiafoe's chances were diminished following a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9) defeat against Quentin Halys. Alex de Minaur also failed to capitalize, losing 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry, a result that could have secured De Minaur's qualification with a strong Paris run.

In other matches, world number one Alexander Zverev and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, both already qualified for Turin, were also defeated. Zverev expressed frustration over the reaction to his ascent to world number one after a straight-sets loss to Lorenzo Musetti. Medvedev lost 6-4, 6-4 to Peru's Ignacio Buse. Fritz narrowly avoided elimination, winning a third-set tie-break 7-6 (7-5) against Slovakia's Alex Molcan. Paul advanced with a swift 6-1, 6-1 victory over Spain's Daniel Merida.