Djokovic considering options as he sets out end of year priority targets
Novak Djokovic has hinted he may end his 2022 season earlier than originally planned depending on how his body feels.
The former World No.1 and 21-time Grand Slam champion was speaking ahead of his semi-final at the Tel Aviv Open, following his return to action for the first time since his Wimbledon triumph at last week's emotional Laver Cup.
The Serbian star will head to next week's star-packed Astana Open in Kazakhstan hoping to take a step closer to qualifying for the season ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic sits at No.7 in the world rankings but at No.15 in the live race for Turin.
Only Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas have secured their place in Italy and Djokovic know he needs to start winning titles quickly to stand any chance of making it.
The Astana Open is an ATP 500 event meaning there are still plenty of points up for grabs as the tour hurtles to the end of the year.
That is followed by the Paris Masters at the end of October and Djokovic has confirmed these are the events he has his eye on.
He said: "I was mentioning before the Grand Slams and the performance for my country and also [Masters] 1000 events and World Tour Finals, those are the events that for me count the most at this stage of my life.
"The Grand Slam season is finished, but you have Turin which I still haven't qualified for and I'm hoping I can make it so that I'm able to play there. There are many, many tournaments in the world and every week you have few tournaments and different categories.
"At the same time, I'm at a stage in my career where I can choose what I want to play. It's going to probably be the case more now than it ever was for me where I'm gonna play some tournaments that are normally not fitting in my schedule because my schedule is not what it was in the last 20 years so I'm kind of more flexible."
However, Djokovic reportedly picked up a wrist injury in London and he admitted he has to listen to what his body tells him.
"That's why I came to Israel and I'm going to Kazakhstan and I'll see what I play after. Still the schedule is to play Paris and Turin but we'll see," he added.
"It depends how I feel, it depends what the reaction of my body is after this week and next week and then I'll sit down with my team and make a plan until the end of the season."
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