In a surprising development, tennis icon and defending champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals, citing an “ongoing injury.” The 37-year-old Serbian star, who holds a record seven titles at the event, shared his disappointment in a heartfelt message to fans on social media.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” Djokovic wrote. “Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon.”
Djokovic’s absence from the tournament marks a significant shift in the tennis world, as it will be the first time since 2001 that the prestigious year-end event will take place without at least one of tennis’s celebrated “Big Three”—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic himself. The absence of these legends signals a new era for the ATP Finals and opens the field for rising stars and other top players who have qualified.
The Serbian, currently ranked sixth on the ATP Tour, had expressed in recent weeks that his focus has shifted away from the year-end rankings and tournament qualification. His priority, he said, remains the Grand Slams, as he continues to pursue his goal of cementing his legacy with more major titles. Djokovic currently holds a historic 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the men’s game, and he appears to be prioritizing his career longevity as he aims for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
With his withdrawal, the eight-man field for the Turin-based ATP Finals is now complete. Norway’s Casper Ruud, Australia’s Alex de Minaur, and Russia’s Andrey Rublev have secured the final spots, joining Italy’s Jannik Sinner, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Germany’s Alexander Zverev, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz of the United States.
This year’s tournament, taking place from November 10 to 17, promises a dynamic lineup of rising stars and established competitors. The field’s youthfulness represents a generational shift, and fans will be watching closely to see which player might seize the title in Djokovic’s absence.
While Djokovic’s next tournament appearance is expected to be the Australian Open in January, his decision to prioritize recovery signals his dedication to maintaining peak performance in Grand Slam events. In Melbourne, Djokovic will aim for an unprecedented 25th major singles title, a record that would separate him from Australia’s Margaret Court, and mark his 100th tour-level trophy.
The tournament’s eight-man roster is stacked with promising talents, including current world number one Jannik Sinner, a formidable opponent on his home soil, and Carlos Alcaraz, whose youthful energy has electrified fans worldwide. Each player in the field will see this opportunity as a golden chance to step out from the shadow of the Big Three.
Djokovic’s withdrawal may be disappointing to his loyal fans, but it adds an intriguing twist to the ATP Finals. With the event wide open for a new champion, a new chapter in tennis history is about to unfold in Turin.
