Novak Djokovic withdraws from the ATP Finals. First time in 23 years without a member of the Big 3

Novak Djokovic gained’t defend his ATP Finals title after ruling himself out citing an harm. File picture
| Photograph Credit score: AP

(AP) — Novak Djokovic will not defend his ATP Finals title after ruling himself out Tuesday citing an harm, leaving the season-ending occasion with out a member of the Huge Three of males’s tennis for the primary time in 23 years.

“I used to be actually trying ahead to being there, however attributable to ongoing harm I will not be enjoying subsequent week,” Djokovic wrote on social media, with out specifying what the issue is. “Apologies to those that had been planning to see me.”

The eight-man match begins Sunday in Turin, Italy.

Djokovic has gained the ATP Finals a report seven instances. He beat present No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the title final 12 months.

Roger Federer, who introduced his retirement in 2022, gained the occasion six instances after making his debut in 2002; Rafael Nadal, who’s retiring after enjoying within the Davis Cup this month, was the runner-up twice on the ATP Finals however by no means gained it.

Not since 2001 has the match been held with out no less than one among Djokovic, Federer or Nadal. This season additionally was the primary since 2002 with out no less than one Grand Slam title for a member of that trio.

Djokovic finishes the 12 months with a 37-9 report however just one match championship: his first Olympic gold medal, which got here on the Paris Video games in August. That was his 99th tour-level title.

Djokovic didn’t add to his males’s-record 24 Grand Slam trophies in 2024 and handled a torn meniscus in his proper knee that required surgical procedure and compelled him to withdraw from the French Open earlier than the quarterfinals. After bowing out of the U.S. Open within the third spherical, he performed one Davis Cup match after which reached the ultimate of the Shanghai Masters final month, dropping to Sinner. He withdrew from the Paris Masters.

Becoming a member of Sinner in Turin will probably be Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev.

“Wishing all of the gamers an awesome match,” Djokovic stated. “See you quickly!”