What Novak Djokovic needs to do to qualify for the ATP Finals after China Open win

Novak Djokovic defeated Alex de Minaur in the China Open final to win his first title of the season and edge closer to ATP Finals qualification.

Earlier in the week, Djokovic said he wanted to compete in the ATP Finals if he qualifies this year, having skipped the event in 2024 and 2025. Winning the title in Beijing, Djokovic earned 500 ranking points, moving him into the qualification places.

But how much distance did the Serb put between himself and the chasing pack, and what else must he do to book his ticket to Turin?

The eight players who earn the most points in a calendar year qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic currently sits ninth in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’, but is eighth on a technicality, as Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the event due to injury.

He leads the man he beat in the China Open final, De Minaur, by 150 points, and Spain’s Rafael Jodar is a further 171 points adrift. The next five players in the ‘Live ATP Race’: Taylor Fritz, Jakub Mensik, Tommy Paul, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Brandon Nakashima are all within 565 points of Djokovic.

So, with that being true, Djokovic can’t rest on his laurels over the coming weeks. There are still two Masters 1000 events to be played this year, in Shanghai and Paris, both offering up 1,000 ranking points. Djokovic will likely need to make a deep run in at least one of the two tournaments to guarantee his spot in the year-end finals.

Otherwise, he might miss out for the first time in nine years. Djokovic failed to qualify for the 2017 ATP Finals, finishing 12th in the race, behind the likes of Juan Martin del Potro and Pablo Carreno Busta.

Djokovic is a record seven-time ATP Finals champion. The veteran won his first title in 2008 and added to his tally with wins in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023.

Only time will tell if he can win an eighth title in 2026. First, he must qualify, and Djokovic will be keen to improve his chances of doing so by performing at the upcoming Shanghai Masters. Djokovic will play Hubert Hurkacz or James Duckworth in the second round.

This article first appeared on Tennishead and was syndicated with permission.