Djokovic Decides to Rest Rather Than Play Valencia

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 16th October 2013

Djokovic Decides to Rest Rather Than Play Valencia

epa03907428 Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns a hit against Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga during the semifinal match of the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China, 12 October 2013. Djokovic won by 6-2; 7-5 to stretch his unbeaten run in China to 19 matches. EPA/XI YA CHINA OUT |

Novak Djokovic has chosen to rest next week instead of accepting a late – and presumably lucrative – invitation to play as a wild card in the Valencia 500 ATP event, Serbian media reported that their man will recover from his title double in China and prepare for the Paris Bercy Masters event starting on October 28.

Djokovic trails Rafael Nadal – playing as top seed in Basel next week – by 400 points, with the winner of Valencia claiming 500. Even a plea from tournament director and former Spanish world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero could not convince Djokovic to pick up his racquet.

“It would be great if we could get one so big player like Novak joined the draw,” said Ferrero. “We as a tournament can not function without the stars, we are humble in many ways, but it is always good to have classes like Djokovic.

“He would have a good chance to get closer to Nadal, if he were to win the title. We know it’s just before a Masters and we also don’t know if re-taking No. 1 is his immediate priority.”

Djokovic and Nadal are due to meet both in Paris and at the year-end finals in London from November 4 with the Serb defending champion’s points at the season wrapup. He then will lead Serbia into the Davis Cup final in Belgrade against the defending champion Czech Republic.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Davis Cup, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Valencia