Novak Djokovic will aim to replicate his 2023 Paris Masters performance in a few days’ time, with the glaring exception of an umpiring controversy.

The French capital has been a happy hunting ground for the Serbian, having won the Paris Masters a staggering seven times – the most in tournament history.

Novak Djokovic took aim at an umpire during the 2023 Paris MastersCredit: Getty

He’s also featured in the most finals [nine] and has won the most matches [50], further underlining his sheer dominance on the Parisian hard courts.

Djokovic took out the title last year with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Grigor Dmitrov in the final.

The triumph over the Bulgarian was only Djokovic’s second straight-sets victory at the tournament having been pushed to three sets by Tallon Griekspoor, Andrey Rublev and Holger Rune.

However, Djokovic could have gotten past Rune in two had it not been for a rules controversy at the end of the second set.

Having won the first set 7-5, Djokovic looked to be on the cusp of victory as he led 5-4 and was up 15-30 on Rune’s serve.

During the rally, the Dane fired a shot wide and it looked like Djokovic would have two match points.

But Rune had challenged Djokovic’s shot prior to his one that flew out and umpire Renaud Lichtenstein granted the review.

Djokovic fumed over what he perceived to be a late challenge from Rune and immediately approached Lichtenstein’s chair.

Lichtenstein explained: “He was looking that the shot was going out. Before we called it out he asked me, that’s why I’m allowing it Novak.”

Djokovic wasn’t buying it as he called the decision ‘b*******’ and demanded the supervisor come to the court as the crowd at the Accor Arena showered him with boos.

Djokovic overcame Rune in a gutsy three-set encounter at the Paris MastersCredit: Getty
Rune went on to save a match point in the second set and eventually won it in a tiebreak.

But Djokovic immediately hit back at the start of the third as he secured a break en route to taking a 3-1 lead.

Djokovic eventually closed out the set to seal a 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 victory to set up a semi final against Rublev and celebrated by mimicking Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham’s celebration.

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Luckily for the 37-year-old he was able to laugh off the controversy and the boos towards the end of the second set.

But, had it proved to be a moment that inspired Rune to victory, Djokovic knows his post-match tone would have been significantly different.

“I thought he made a mistake that could have cost me the match,” Djokovic said.

“Holger played his shot and when he saw that this shot was out, he called for the challenge.

Djokovic celebrated his win over Rune by mimicking BellinghamCredit: Getty

“The umpire told me that he was allowed to do that which I thought was ridiculous. It’s his judgement, it’s easy to talk about now that I won the match, definitely a very difficult situation for the chair umpire as well.

“He should not have allowed him to challenge that on a such important point.”

The 2024 Paris Masters kicks off on October 28 with Djokovic already into the second round thanks to his No. 4 seeding.