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Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and seven-time Paris Masters winner, has announced his withdrawal from the prestigious tournament, potentially signaling an early end to his 2024 season.

The 37-year-old Serbian tennis icon shared the news via Instagram on Wednesday, disappointing fans who had hoped to see him defend his title at the Paris Masters, set to begin next week.

"Unfortunately, I won't be playing the Paris Masters this year," Djokovic wrote.

"I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles, and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there."

Djokovic's decision comes during a season of highs and lows.

While he secured his 24th Grand Slam title at the Olympic Games in Paris this past August, his form has been inconsistent, especially when measured against the rising dominance of younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Both players have surpassed Djokovic in key tournaments this yearâ Sinner dethroned him in the Australian and US Opens, while Alcaraz beat him at Wimbledon and earlier in the year at the French Open.

Sinner, in particular, has not only taken Djokovic's world number-one ranking but also established himself as a fierce rival for the future.

Alcaraz, too, has posed a significant challenge, though Djokovic managed to exact some revenge with a hard-fought victory over the Spaniard in the Olympic final.

Djokovic's absence from the Paris Masters raises questions about his fitness and his remaining 2024 schedule.

While he currently sits in sixth place in the ATP Finals race, the withdrawal could jeopardize his qualification for the year-end ATP Finals, a tournament reserved for the top eight players.

Four spots have already been claimed by Sinner, Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.

Djokovic last played in the Six Kings Slam exhibition, though no official reason for his Paris Masters withdrawal has been provided.

As he approaches the close of his season, the tennis world is left wondering if the decision marks the end of Djokovic's competitive run for the yearâ or perhaps the beginning of a new chapter in his storied career.