Djokovic skips ATP Finals, "I’m still injured"

No ATP Finals for Novak Djokovic: the Serbian tennis player announced on Instagram that he will not be able to participate in the Turin tournament, scheduled from 10 to 17 November at the Inalpi Arena, because he has not yet recovered from his right knee injury. “It’s an honor to qualify for the ATP Finals, I couldn’t wait to be there, but due to a persistent injury I won’t play next week”, explained Nole, who is the reigning champion of the tournament. “I apologize to all those who organized to see me. I wish all the players a great tournament. See you soon”, concluded Djokovic who, forced to miss the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, has recently returned to Belgrade from a family holiday.

That his lump sum was in the air is demonstrated precisely by his choice of the Maldives for the holiday, not exactly the most suitable location for training in view of the ATP Finals. But it should be remembered that already in mid-September Nole had said that the Turin event no longer represented “an objective”. Now, however, his failure to participate in the Inalpi Arena risks taking him out of the top 10 of the ATP ranking for the first time since 2018.

Djokovic’s withdrawal brings order to the list of Finals qualifiers: the last three to cross the ‘finish line’ are Casper Ruud (finalist in 2022), Alex De Minaur (in his first appearance in the tournament) and Andrey Rublev, now involved in the ATP 250 of Metz and Belgrade. The three athletes join the already very certain Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. When he withdrew in France Nole was in sixth place in the Race but with very few points more than his pursuers (Rublev, Ruud and De Minaur), and probably thought that with the points of the three in the field, he would naturally exit the race towards Turin. This was not the case.

The Serbian’s last appearance dates back to mid-October at the Six King Slam in Riyadh, the very rich and somewhat rude performance where he placed third and pocketed 1.5 million euros. The last official tournament was the Master 1000 in Shanghai, beaten in the final by Sinner. And now, to see the 37-year-old no longer such a highlander back on the court, we will most likely have to wait for the Australian Open, the first Slam of next year, probably the real reason for giving up the ATP Finals.

As for the world number one South Tyrolean, it must be said that training began today with a double session on a pitch at the Circolo della Stampa. Arriving in Turin two days ago, the tennis player from San Candido found a warm welcome from hundreds of fans who waited for him at the hotel entrance.

Jannik Sinner arrives in Turin and is greeted by so many fans.

They’re singing to him.

A hero’s welcome. ❤️

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— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter)
November 3, 2024