Mark Petchey, who spent most of the first half of 2025 coaching Emma Raducanu, has offered his verdict on a key change that the ATP plans to implement next year.
The Brit, who has never been shy of voicing his opinion following many years playing and coaching on the tour, was actually speaking about an issue that concerned this year’s ATP Finals.
This prestigious end-of-year event got underway just yesterday, yet ironically, the line-up was only finalised at the eleventh hour.
After all, before they could confirm which players were part of that elusive final eight, they had to wait to see who won the 250-level event in Greece between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti.
Had the latter won, he would have guaranteed ATP Finals qualification over Felix Auger-Aliassime. However, losing meant missing out.
That was, until Djokovic withdrew from the final tournament of the year just hours after winning an enthralling final in Athens, thus granting the Italian entry into it anyway.
Mark Petchey praises ATP rule change for 2026 season
It was quite a funny turn of events for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who likely knew long before his decision was announced that he wouldn’t partake in the ATP Finals.
However, for whatever reason, he had yet to voice that, and so the ATP were left guessing.
They had to prepare for the possibility that one of Musetti or Auger-Aliassime would be present, and now they have ended up with both.
Fortunately, such last-minute drama will not be possible next year, with the Paris Masters now the final event which will contribute to the Race to Turin.
Petchey, speaking on Tennis Channel, lauded that switch, whilst also giving Djokovic some leeway on his late decision: “Yeah, no problem at all.
“I think big shout out to the ATP that next year, of course, the race finishes after Paris, the tournaments, if there are any after Paris, won’t count towards. So we won’t have this situation.
“But Novak, he’s allowed to do what he wants, as far as I’m concerned. He’s given everything to the sport.
“If he feels, and also, let’s not forget, he’s got an extra week now, ahead of, obviously the new season, [the] Australian Open is a week later this year. This is a huge off-season for him to take a big break and get himself ready, which, of course, is his biggest goal, is winning one of those majors.”
Why Novak Djokovic isn’t playing in the ATP Finals
Whilst Musetti will be glad to see Djokovic make such a move to grant him entry into the first ATP Finals of his career, many will be upset that the Serbian won’t be present.
After all, he has arguably been the third-best player in the world this year, having upped his ATP titles tally to 101 and reached the semi-finals of all four majors.
Djokovic even surpassed a Roger Federer record in winning his most recent title in Greece.
Justifying his decision, his statement read: “I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best but after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury,” Djokovic wrote on social media.
“I’m truly sorry to the fans who were hoping to see me play – your support means so much. I wish all the players an amazing tournament, and I can’t wait to be back on the court with you all soon.”
