Novak Djokovic Withdraws From ATP Finals Due to Shoulder Injury

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals, scheduled to begin Sunday in Turin, Italy, shortly after winning the Hellenic Championship on Saturday, marking a setback for the season-ending tournament.

Djokovic cited an ongoing shoulder injury as the reason for his withdrawal, stating on social media, “I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best, But after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury.” The 24-time Grand Slam champion had been managing the injury throughout the Athens tournament, and determined he could not compete at the required level against the world’s top eight players. Lorenzo Musetti will take Djokovic’s place in the tournament, despite initially losing to him in the final qualifying match.

The announcement comes after a grueling 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Musetti in Athens, a match that lasted nearly three hours. “An incredible battle,” Djokovic said after the match. “Three hours of a grueling match, physically… I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.” With the win, Djokovic secured his 101st career title and, notably, set a new men’s record with his 72nd title on hard courts, surpassing Roger Federer. This achievement underscores Djokovic’s continued dominance in the sport, even as he approaches his 39th birthday.

Djokovic also revealed he had delayed making a decision about his participation in Turin, hoping the injury would subside. “After yesterday’s [Friday] match, I was hoping that it was not going to flare up,” he told reporters. “But then today, even before the match, it was not great. I had to take all the strong medications to be able to play the match.” The ATP Finals are a crucial event in the tennis calendar, determining the year-end champion and offering significant ranking points. Tournament officials have yet to comment on the impact of Djokovic’s withdrawal.