Novak Djokovic will be absent from the 2025 Paris Masters after announcing his withdrawal on Tuesday.
The Serbian player last won the title in 2023, defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 in the final.
Djokovic won his first Paris Masters title in 2009 and has gone on to become the most successful player in the tournament’s history, winning seven editions.
In the 2009 final, Djokovic defeated home favourite Gael Monfils, eventually closing out the contest 6–2, 5–7, 7–6.
Following the final, Djokovic spoke to the ATP Tour about his victory.
Djokovic described the ‘big relief’ of winning the 2009 Paris Masters
Djokovic had been on a torrid Masters 1000 run in 2009. He had lost four consecutive Masters 1000 finals.
Djokovic lost to Andy Murray in the Miami Open final, before losing to Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo Masters final around one month later.
The Serb also failed to defend his Italian Open title later that year – losing to Nadal again in the final.
His final Masters 1000 loss of the year came in Cincinnati, where he lost to Roger Federer.
After breaking his duck in Paris Djokovic said: “It’s a big relief. I’ve played four times finals this year at 1000 events – couldn’t make that extra step.
“This time I made it and I made it through a very difficult way, 7-6 in the third set. So I’m very delighted.”
Djokovic was then asked about the impact of the French crowd, and his fans in the stadium.
“Yes, yes I did [have a fair few supporters in the crowd.] Of course, it’s not always welcome if you have a crowd against you, but it’s normal that they support their own player from France, from Paris.
“I think because of the crowd he came back into the match. I was a set and 3-0 up, really holding the match under control and then suddenly I just lost the momentum.”
Djokovic’s run to the 2009 Paris Masters title
Djokovic was the third seed at the tournament and consequently received a bye to the second round, where he defeated former top 10 player Juan Monaco, 6-3, 7-5.
He then defeated Arnaud Clement and two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling, before defeating Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
Victory against Monfils in the final marked Djokovic’s fifth Masters 1000 title. He has gone on to win the most Masters 1000 tournaments in history [40].
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| First Round | N/A | BYE |
| Second Round | Juan Monaco | 6-3, 7-5 |
| Third Round | Arnaud Clement | 6-2, 6-2 |
| Quarter-finals | Robin Soderling | 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 |
| Semi-finals | Rafael Nadal | 6-2, 6-3 |
| Final | Gael Monfils | 6–2, 5–7, 7–6 |
Djokovic is the only player to have won all the Masters 1000 events. Remarkably, he has done so twice.
