Djokovic Is Facing A Dilemma

Written by: Staff on 8th November 2011

Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel

Djokovic Is Facing A Dilemma

Serbia's Novak Djokovic prepares his serve against Japan's Kei Nishikori during their semi final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 05 November 2011. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

Novak Djokovic faces a fitness-or-finance decision that cold cost him his entire $1.6 million share of the ATP year-end bonus pool. The world no. 1 needs to decide whether to risk a shoulder injury and make a start at the Paris Masters.

Djokovic was taking his time and using every minute before his opening match against Ivan Dodig. The Serb had been due $2 million as world No. 1 for the season. But skipping the Shanghai Masters cost him $400,000. And if he is unable to play Paris Bercy, his remaining $1.6 million will go to zero under ATP rules.

“It’s a good problem to have, right, he’s already made 10 million bucks (on court) this year,” said rival Roger Federer. “Look, it’s up to him, really.

“Is money everything? Clearly not. Clearly helps, but I think he’s made so much this year it shouldn’t matter. It’s his decision if he wants to put the racquet on the line or not,” said Federer, who won Basel and has lulled up ultra-fit after autumn injury time off. “It’s unfortunate that he would miss out on the bonus pool.

“(On the) money: Would he deserve it? Maybe, yes, because he’s fulfilled a lot of commitments this year and it’s been wonderful for the tour. But unfortunately, we do have these rules in place, and they need to be followed for any player, also for world number one.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Novak Djokovic