Key Highlights
- Novak Djokovic withdraws from the ATP Finals after winning the Hellenic Championship final against Lorenzo Musetti.
- Djokovic’s withdrawal is due to an ongoing shoulder injury, which he has been dealing with throughout the tournament in Athens.
- The 38-year-old Serbian tennis star set a new men’s record by winning his 72nd title on hard courts during the Hellenic Championship final.
- Djokovic is one of three men to have won over 100 titles, with two more needed for him to match Roger Federer’s total.
Novak Djokovic Withdraws from ATP Finals After Athens Triumph
Top tennis player Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals after securing a victory in the Hellenic Championship final. The 38-year-old Serbian star, who is one of three men to have won over 100 titles, had been dealing with an ongoing shoulder injury throughout his participation in Athens.
Djokovic posted on social media that he was looking forward to competing in Turin but decided to pull out due to the injury. “I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best,” he wrote. “But after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury.”
New Hardcourt Record
In a hard-fought three-hour match against Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic emerged victorious with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The win secured his 101st career title and set a new men’s record for the most titles on hard courts at 72, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record.
“An incredible battle,” Djokovic remarked after the match. “Three hours of a grueling match, physically… I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.”
Withdrawal from ATP Finals
Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals means that Lorenzo Musetti will take his place in the tournament despite initially losing the final qualifying spot. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has missed the ATP Finals for two consecutive years due to injuries, stated that he wanted to see how the matches went before making a call.
“That’s the reason why I decided not to make a call: would I go to Turin or not earlier, because I wanted to see how the matches go, how I react,” Djokovic told reporters. “After yesterday’s match, I was hoping that it wasn’t going to flare up. But then today, even before the match, it was not great.”
Djokovic continued, “I felt there’s no chance for me to go through the entire tournament in Turin with the required level of tennis when you’re playing the best eight in the world.” The Serbian star added that he had been taking strong medications just to play his match against Musetti.
Background and Context
The ATP Finals, held annually in Turin, Italy, brings together the top eight men’s players of the season. Djokovic has won this prestigious tournament seven times in his career, making him one of the most successful participants. However, injuries have often plagued the Serbian star throughout his years in the sport.
His withdrawal from the ATP Finals for two consecutive years due to injury highlights the challenges faced by top athletes as they navigate through their careers.
Despite this setback, Djokovic remains a formidable player and continues to set records at major tournaments like the Hellenic Championship.
Djokovic’s decision to withdraw is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to his health. While his absence from the ATP Finals may be disappointing for fans, it also allows other talented players, such as Musetti, an opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage.
