What Novak Djokovic has done at the Paris Masters over the years is one of the great late-season stories in modern tennis. The Serb has considered the Paris indoor occasion as one of his favourite hunting grounds, having won various titles there, and establishing a record which hardly any player has achieved at a sole Masters 1000 venue. As the tournament leaves the old arena in 2025, fans and pundits alike will be wondering the same thing: can Novak Djokovic add to that Paris legacy in another stage?
The Rolex Paris Masters will take place at Paris La Défense Arena, in 2025 edition staged from late October to early November, after decades at the Accor Arena (Bercy). The La Défense venue is bigger, newer and more versatile, hosting sporting and entertainment events that give a different atmosphere and dimension to one of the ATP Tour’s flagship indoor tournaments.
The change represents more than a simple location swap. Indoor tennis is affected by several elements such as court speed, lighting, and ball response, which can affect the outcome. Small variations in bounce and background visuals can change players’ perception and hitting of the ball. A new venue means that everyone, including Djokovic, and the youngest qualifier, will have to rethink their usual Paris habits.
Djokovic’s Paris record and current form
Djokovic has a good record at the Paris Masters and he goes back as a favourite, going by most bookmakers reviewed by Cheekypunter.com. His record at the tournament makes him the most successful player in its history. He composes himself intelligently, managing to maintain his focus and fitness deep into the ATP calendar when others are already fading away. Paris is the place where Djokovic often makes his closing statement for the ATP Finals, tightening his grip on year-end No.1 rankings and testing his readiness for the final boost of the year.
Djokovic is a top contender to win at any event that he enters. Even at an age which would see most players hang up their rackets, he continues to get the better of opponents at Grand Slams and Masters 1000s and does so in spite of not moving them with ease.
The advantages and disadvantages for Djokovic at La Défense Arena
Advantages:
1. Djokovic has a good sense of how to play on new courts very quickly. He can read surfaces and opponents more quickly than most, thereby receiving a huge advantage when venues change during tournaments.
2. In the latter stage of the season, the players must withstand pressure and fatigue to win Paris masters. Djokovic’s record shows he knows how to peak for these.
3. If Djokovic plays indoors, without wind or weather conditions, his game which revolves around precision, will be more lethal.
Disadvantages:
1. The arena’s floor, light and sound will be different. It might have a minor impact on how people serve and see things at first.
2. The ATP field has never been deeper and players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune all excel indoors. Djokovic may find himself challenged by the younger players.
3. Every time Djokovic plays in Paris, the pressure of history shapes the way the match plays out.
Taking his record into a new arena adds another mental hurdle.
Djokovic’s approach indoors involves sharp angles to launch himself and redirecting pace so he can get the ball back to the opponent. If the La Défense Arena’s surface is quicker than Bercy’s, Djokovic might have to use serve placement and first-strike aggression more. If the ball plays slower, the rallies become longer, a scenario that suits his defensive acumen and stamina.
The numbers behind his late-season dominance
Djokovic’s numbers in Masters tournaments are still elite. In break-point conversion, return games won, and deciding-set success rate, he’s top 3 by a significant margin. Because he can remain at peak levels during longer indoor matches, it offers him an edge over players who are more dependent on short and explosive rallies.
Since 2013, Djokovic has reached the semifinals, if not better, in all but two of his Paris appearances, which shows how much he loves this stage. Even with the rise of younger players, he remains consistent and experienced and is a cut above.
Verdict — Can he extend the record?
Yes, but it’s not going to be simple.
Moving to La Défense arena could make the event a little unpredictable. Djokovic’s incredible adaptability, excellent tactical mind, and past indoor success keep him one of the strongest favorites. While he may not be able to replicate the same conditions as those in Bercy, he certainly knows what it means to play that kind of tennis mentally and physically late in the season.
If Djokovic is healthy and finds his rhythm in matches early on, there’s no reason he cannot win another title in Paris. He will still be the king of that event if he extends his record and shows that even a change of venue may not derail his quest for tennis history.