Honoured but Hurt: Novak Djokovic Bows Out of ATP Finals Due to Injury
The Serbian tennis player, who has seven titles in this event, announced through his social media channels that he will not play in Turin due to an ‘ongoing injury’ that ends his season.
Novak Djokovic will not be able to defend his title at the Nitto ATP Finals (10-17 November). The current world No. 5 posted on Instagram: “It’s quite an honour to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week.”
The injury, which ‘Nole’ has not yet specified, is the same one that kept him out of the Paris Masters 1000 a couple of weeks ago. His last official match, not counting the Six Kings Slam, was at the Shanghai Masters 1000 last October 13, where he lost to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
The 37-year-old Djokovic was not at his best in a year that is already over for him, as Serbia has failed to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals. Djokovic’s absence at the ATP Finals also means that the former world No. 1 will not win an ATP title this season, something that has not happened since 2005.
On the other hand, his sights are likely to be set on the Australian Open, which begins on 12th January. Djokovic added in his message: “Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!”
This year the Serbian tennis player failed to extend his record of 24 Grand Slam titles, but he did manage to keep the trophy he most longed for: the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, thereby achieving the last trophy he was missing.
Djokovic’s withdrawal ensures the participation of Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev in the tournament, regardless of their results in this week’s competitions.
The eight players who will take part in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin are: Jannik Sinner (Italy), Alexander Zverev (Germany), Carlos Alcaraz (Spain), Daniil Medvedev (Russia), Taylor Fritz (United States), Casper Ruud (Norway), Alex de Minaur (Australia) and Andrey Rublev (Russia).
