2014 ATP BNP Paribas Masters: The Top Storylines to Follow in Paris

The ATP BNP Paribas Masters in Paris is the last tournament before the ATP World Tour Finals in London. It serves as the stage for all the late-season drama unfolding on tour.

There are many plots and subplots. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic enter the tournament battling for the No. 1 ranking. Andy Murray, David Ferrer and several others continue to vie for the remaining slots in the "Race to London."

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is out for the season and will undergo appendix surgery. His departure from the tour opens the door for one other player who otherwise would fail to qualify for London.

As the tour rolls into Paris, those stories are among the top ATP topics to follow. 

The Battle for No. 1

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Novak Djokovic hits a backhand during a match in Shanghai.

Federer's win at the Swiss Indoor Basel was his fifth title of the season. It also put him within 600 points of Djokovic and the No. 1 ranking.

There are 2500 points available between Paris and the ATP Finals. Federer, who also won at Shanghai, enters Paris red hot.

Meanwhile, Djokovic will be playing in his first tournament since his wife gave birth to their son. 

Up until their epic battle at Wimbledon, Federer appeared to be on the outside looking in on the Djokovic/Rafa show.

Although he lost to Djokovic in Wimbledon, Federer played his way back into the Grand Slam contender conversation. His win over the Serb in Shanghai proved Federer was more than just respectably hanging around. 

Can new daddy Djokovic hold Federer off? 

A Surging Andy Murray

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VALENCIA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts against David Ferrer of Spain in the semi-final on day six of the ATP 500 World Tour Valencia Open tennis tournament at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias on October 25, 2014 in Valenc

It wasn't that long ago that Murray was battling for the No. 1 ranking. This year, he had to fight just to get back in the Top 10. Determined to win his way back to the tour finals, Murray dug deep.

Murray had dropped as low as No. 12 before entering the Asian swing of the tour. He's bounced back and will be ranked No. 6. He's won back-to-back tournaments, capturing titles in Vienna and Valencia, both with wins over Ferrer in the finals. 

The Scot would love to be back in London, where he's sure to have the home crowd behind him. His late-season surge has him on his way. 

The Fight for the Finals

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Tomas Berdych holds trophy he won at Stockholm.

With less than three weeks to go to the finals, four slots remain open. Djokovic, Federer, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic have qualified. So had Nadal. 

Nadal's withdrawal opens the door to Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic, players hovering just outside the cut.

If the season ended today, Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych, Murray and Ferrer would take the final four spots. But the season continues in Paris. Less than 400 points separates No. 7 from No. 11. That's why we saw Murray, Berdych and Ferrer go on a mad dash for points in a series of European tournaments. 

Dimitrov lost to Berdych in the finals in Stockholm. He lost to Federer in Basel. 

You'd think this late in the season the younger players would have more energy to squeeze out more wins. However, so far it's been hungry veterans gobbling up extra points. 

Old Guard Holding off Young Guns

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Milos Raonic gets set to serve during U.S. Open.

While the hungry veterans continue to rise, the youngsters have faltered a bit.

After Raonic wowed at Wimbledon and Nishikori and Cilic reached the finals at the U.S. Open, it seemed suddenly the new guard had arrived. 

Yet, the race to London is coming to a close and it's the old guard, Murray, Ferrer and Berdych, making their moves. Six of the Top 10 players in the Race to London are 27 or older. Four are 29 or older.

Meanwhile, youngsters Dimitrov and Raonic are on the outside looking in. If the season ended today, even with Nadal out, Dimitrov and Raonic would not qualify. 

Rafa's Withdrawal

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Rafael Nadal adjusts his headband during a changeover at the Shanghai Masters.

You have to feel for Rafael Nadal. Just when it looked like he was making a solid comeback, he is hit with another ailment. This time it's his appendix.

Nadal will undergo appendix surgery November 3 and is done for 2014. What a blow to the ATP World Finals. 

One of the biggest names in tennis, Nadal adds excitement to any tournament. His rivalries with Djokovic and Federer are the most anticipated matches. 

His absence doesn't leave a cloud over the tournament. After all, Federer, Djokovic and Murray are playing well. However, Nadal will be missed in Paris and London.