Rinky Hijikata produced one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 tennis season after defeating Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Paris Masters. The Australian delivered an impressive performance to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, ending Djokovic’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
The victory represents a major milestone in Hijikata’s career, as he recorded the biggest win of his professional tennis journey against one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Despite losing the opening set, the Australian showed tremendous determination and improved his level in the next two sets. His powerful baseline shots, consistency and aggressive approach put Djokovic under pressure and ultimately secured a memorable comeback victory.
Rinky Hijikata vs Novak Djokovic: Paris Masters 2026 Result
The second-round match at the Paris Masters began with Djokovic looking comfortable. The Serbian controlled the opening set, winning it 6-2 and appearing on course for another victory.
However, Hijikata responded strongly in the second set. He started finding more winners from the baseline, reduced his unforced errors and took advantage of Djokovic’s declining serve.
Hijikata won the second set 6-3 to level the match before carrying his momentum into the deciding set. The Australian continued playing confidently and secured another 6-3 set to complete a stunning 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Djokovic later praised his opponent, admitting that Hijikata was playing at an exceptional level.
“He was just playing out of his mind,” Djokovic said after the defeat, acknowledging the Australian’s outstanding performance.
Rinky Hijikata Almost Withdrew Before Facing Djokovic
One of the most surprising details surrounding Hijikata’s victory was that he almost did not take the court.
The Australian revealed that he had experienced neck discomfort after aggravating the problem the previous day. His neck was still causing problems when he woke up on Thursday, raising doubts about whether he would be able to compete.
However, Hijikata decided to give himself a chance, and adrenaline helped him get through the match.
Despite the physical concerns, he delivered an outstanding performance against Djokovic, making the victory even more impressive.
Rinky Hijikata Makes History Against Novak Djokovic
The win placed Hijikata in an exclusive group of Australian tennis players who have defeated Djokovic.
He became only the fourth Australian to beat the Serbian superstar, joining:
- Alex de Minaur
- Nick Kyrgios
- Lleyton Hewitt
- Rinky Hijikata
The victory was also particularly significant because Hijikata had never previously recorded a top-20 win before his breakthrough season in 2026.
His victory over Djokovic marked his fourth top-20 scalp of the year, demonstrating how much his game has developed.
The Australian also continued his impressive run after coming through qualifying to reach the Paris Masters main draw.
Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals Hopes End After Defeat
Djokovic’s loss was particularly disappointing because it officially ended his chances of qualifying for the 2026 ATP Finals.
The Serbian had previously won the season-ending championship seven times and was hoping to extend his campaign with a strong performance in Paris.
However, losing to Hijikata meant he would not qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2017.
Djokovic had enjoyed some positive moments during 2026, including reaching the Australian Open final and winning the China Open in Beijing.
In Beijing, he defeated Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur in consecutive matches before capturing his 102nd ATP Tour title.
Nevertheless, his Paris Masters defeat highlighted the challenges he has faced throughout the season.
Djokovic Records His Worst Masters 1000 Season Since 2005
Another major consequence of the defeat was Djokovic’s disappointing Masters 1000 campaign.
For the first time since 2005, he failed to reach a single Masters 1000 quarter-final during a full season.
The Serbian won just three matches across the Masters 1000 tournaments he played in 2026.
His results included victories over Kamil Majchrzak and Aleksandar Kovacevic at Indian Wells, followed by his first-round win against Valentin Vacherot in Paris.
His 2026 Masters 1000 results were:
| Tournament | Djokovic’s result |
|---|---|
| Indian Wells | Fourth round |
| Miami Open | Did not play |
| Monte Carlo Masters | Did not play |
| Madrid Open | Did not play |
| Italian Open | Second round |
| Canadian Open | Did not play |
| Cincinnati Open | Second round |
| Shanghai Masters | Second round |
| Paris Masters | Second round |
The last time Djokovic experienced a comparable season was in 2005, when he was still developing into an elite professional player.
The difference is significant because Djokovic has since become the record holder for the most Masters 1000 titles, with 40 championships.
Rinky Hijikata’s Next Match at Paris Masters 2026
Following his famous victory over Djokovic, Hijikata advanced to the third round of the Paris Masters.
His next opponent was Argentine player Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who defeated Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.
The match presented another major opportunity for Hijikata to continue his impressive tournament run and improve his position in the ATP rankings.
The Australian entered the tournament ranked No. 83 in the world. His victory over Djokovic moved him closer to a potential career-high ranking inside the world’s top 60.
What Does the Victory Mean for Rinky Hijikata?
Beating Novak Djokovic at a Masters 1000 tournament is a career-defining achievement for any tennis player.
For Hijikata, the result could provide enormous confidence heading into the next season. His performance demonstrated that he can compete against elite opponents and deliver under pressure on one of the biggest stages in tennis.
His 2026 season has already included four top-20 victories, something he had never achieved before this year.
If he can maintain this level of performance, Hijikata could become an increasingly dangerous opponent on the ATP Tour.
Conclusion
Rinky Hijikata‘s victory over Novak Djokovic at the Paris Masters 2026 will be remembered as one of the biggest results of his career.
After losing the opening set 6-2, the Australian fought back to win 6-3, 6-3 and end Djokovic’s hopes of reaching the ATP Finals.
The result also highlighted Djokovic’s difficult Masters 1000 season, marking his first year without a quarter-final appearance at this level since 2005.
For Hijikata, however, this was a breakthrough moment that could define the next stage of his tennis career.
Leave a Reply