Daniil Medvedev has made it clear that he does not want Novak Djokovic to be given a wildcard entry into this year’s ATP Finals if the Serb fails to secure qualification. Djokovic currently finds himself in the 11th spot in the race to the year-end championships and can qualify for the tournament if he finishes ninth, as Jannik Sinner has already withdrawn from it. However, time is running out for the former World No. 1 Serb.

The 24-time Major champion is set to play Basel and is also expected to feature at the Paris Masters, but there is no guarantee that he will qualify for the ATP Finals. When asked if the year-end event should give a wildcard entry to Djokovic, Medvedev told Tennishead at an Almaty Open press conference:

“No, I think no wild cards. The only thing, it is a wild card in a way: if you win a Slam and you’re not in the top eight, you get a spot, so that’s kind of a wild card already. I think this rule is good, and they should not add any other rule.”

However, Medvedev believes his 39-year-old rival still has a chance to secure qualification. The 2021 US Open champion, citing Djokovic’s Beijing title triumph, added:

“Look, Novak still has two tournaments to try to make it, and in Beijing he played great. I didn’t see any of his matches in Shanghai. He has his chances. But if he’s there, everyone will be happy to see him there because also, he announced he’s going to play this year if he’s there. If he’s not, that’s a part of life; let’s see what next year can bring to him.”

Medvedev, a former No. 1 himself, is very much in contention to qualify for the ATP Finals, with his ongoing Almaty Open title defense going strong. Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton are the three players who have already qualified for the year-end championships, with five qualifying spots still up for grabs.

Novak Djokovic holds the all-time record for ATP Finals title wins; Daniil Medvedev has won the year-end event as well

Djokovic has won the ATP Finals a record seven times. The Serb got his first taste of title success at the year-end tournament in 2008 and repeated the feat in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022 and most recently in 2023. However, he did not play the event in 2024 and 2025 due to injury issues despite qualifying in both seasons.

Medvedev is also a former ATP Finals champion. The Russian former No. 1 edged Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final and put himself in a great position to defend his year-end crown the following year by reaching the final again. However, in the 2021 final, Zverev defeated him in straight sets.