Defending ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the season-ending event due to injury. The 24-time Major winner released a statement on Tuesday, November 5, and announced his decision of not playing in the event. Djokovic was one of the four players still battling for one of the three remaining spots at the event in Turin. However, he informed on social media that he wouldn’t be able to compete to defend his title.
Djokovic on his social media wrote, “I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week. Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!" The 37-year-old Serb who is currently fifth in world rankings is in sixth spot of the ATP’s annual rankings to determine the eight competitors.
Novak Djokovic's first ATP Final title
The 37-year-old Serb tennis ace claimed his first of his seven ATP Finals wins back in 2008. In last year’s season, he took down world number 1 Jannik Sinner in the final to claim the title. The game saw Sinner defeating his Italian rival 6-3, 6-3, having previously lost to the Italian in the round-robin section of the competition. The ATP Finals are set to take place between November 10 and 17, with the top eight men’s players in the world facing off.
With Djokovic pulling out of the tournament, the field has now been confirmed with Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz joined by Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev. Notably, Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas have been named as alternatives in the tournament.
