“There’s nothing wrong with not being Novak. Everyone can’t be No. 1 in the world,” Stephens said on Tennis Insider Club, a podcast created by fellow former top 10 star Caroline Garcia.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Paris Masters, organizers said Wednesday. The 37-year-old Djokovic played at the Six Kings Slam exhibition last week. Organizers did not give a reason for Djokovic’s withdrawal.

Novak Djokovic will not defend his title at the Paris Masters 1000, which begins October 28 in the French capital. Djokovic confirmed that he will not be playing the event on Instagram, writing that: “I have a lot of great memories winning seven titles there and hope to be back with you next year.

Novak Djokovic said Wednesday he is withdrawing from the Paris Masters, where he is a seven-time champion, in a move which could potentially signal the end of his roller-coaster season. For the first time since 2017 he will end the season without a Grand Slam title.

Paris Masters tournament director Cedric Pioline believes that Novak Djokovic has decided to “manage his body” as he reacted to the Serb’s surprise withdrawal from the event. No one has had more success at the indoor tournament in Bercy than Djokovic,