Novak Djokovic shut down questions regarding a lingering physical issue ahead of his return to the Swiss Indoors, telling reporters bluntly, “No, no, we are not going to talk about that.”
The 24-time Grand-Slam champion spent much of the 2026 season managing what he describes as a chronic health problem rather than a standard conditioning issue. While speaking to reporters, the 39-year-old Serbian star refused to specify the exact nature of the ailment while confirming that he and his support team continue working to identify its root cause. The refusal follows earlier comments in Cincinnati, where he acknowledged that the condition had bothered him for the past few years.
Return to St. Jakobshalle After 15 Years
Djokovic accepted a wildcard for the Swiss Indoors on October 16, marking his first appearance in Basel since 2011. The ATP confirmed his entry into the main draw, which runs from Monday through November 1.
Djokovic holds a 12-2 career record at the St. Jakobshalle. He captured the Basel title in 2009 by defeating Roger Federer in the final. According to Djokovic, the scheduling opening materialized almost by chance after the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia was postponed to December, leaving a gap for indoor hard-court preparation.
The Chase for a Turin Qualification Spot
Entering the final weeks of the autumn indoor swing, Djokovic sat 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin with 2,840 points, trailing ninth-placed Spaniard Rafael Jodar, who held 3,159 points following a runner-up finish in Shanghai.
While Jannik Sinner’s season ended due to a knee injury, opening a competitive window in the race, Djokovic acknowledged that he still needs strong results to secure a 17th appearance at the year-end ATP Finals. He pointed out that indoor venues suit his current physical management by eliminating the sun and heat that hampered him outdoors during stretches of the season.
Upcoming Matches in Basel and Paris
Djokovic opens his Basel campaign against French player Ugo Humbert. Following the tournament in Switzerland, he plans to compete at the Paris Masters from November 2 to November 8, marking the final ATP Masters 1000 event of the season before the cutoff for the Turin field.
Worth a look
