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What Novak Djokovic said after losing his last match at the Basel Open 15 years ago as he receives wildcard

Novak Djokovic returned to the Swiss Indoors Basel for the first time since 2011, where he suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat in the third set of his semifinal match against Kei Nishikori. Fifteen years later, the 39-year-old Serbian is once again chasing a wildcard entry into the tournament, despite having already secured every major accolade in tennis.

After the loss, Djokovic admitted his shoulder was in severe pain, calling the match a 'shock to the body' and revealing he struggled to serve effectively throughout. He also hinted at overplaying, saying he may have pushed his body too hard in the lead-up to the event, while expressing hope to recover in time for the Paris Masters.

Djokovic’s bid to qualify for the ATP Finals remains uncertain, with his current 2,840 points placing him 11th in the race. A strong run at Basel could help him close the gap on competitors like Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils, though he still trails by 69 and 485 points, respectively.

His absence from the ATP Finals in the past two years contrasts with his renewed determination to secure a spot this year, despite his age and the physical toll of elite competition.

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