It was an open secret and it has now become official. Novak Djokovic will not participate in the 2024 ATP Finals. The Serbian issued a statement explaining the reasons that led him to make this unprecedented decision, revealing the eight players who will compete for glory in Turin. There are many other consequences.
Novak Djokovic will always be associated with the Masters tournament, due to the numerous records he holds in this special event. This historical dominance, coupled with other factors, may have led the Serbian to make a difficult decision, such as renouncing to compete in the 2024 ATP Finals. Despite not winning any ATP titles in 2024, the Serbian had virtually secured his qualification, but he announced on social media that he will not attend the Italian city.
“It is a great honor to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. I have tried to do everything possible to be there, but due to a persistent injury, I will not be playing next week. My apologies to all those who were expecting to see me and best wishes to the players who will compete in the tournament. See you soon.” This was the statement from Djokovic, who is already thinking about his next major goal, the 2025 Australian Open, which he will approach after months of inactivity.
– Djokovic will end 2024 outside the top-5, something that had only happened once since 2007
What is most surprising is that the Serbian will start the new season in an ATP ranking position that would make him a potential contender against the world’s best in the quarterfinals of the first Grand Slam. Unless he participates in any event before the 2025 Australian Open, he will appear outside the top-5 and could drop further down the ranks. He will finish the year within the top-10, but it remains to be seen in which position he will arrive at the Australian major, where he will seek to rediscover his best form.
These months of inactivity may allow him to fully recover from the physical discomfort in his surgically repaired knee halfway through this season and, above all, to regain that characteristic ambition in him that may have been affected after winning the Olympic gold. After his decision, the participants in the 2024 ATP Finals are clear and their order is pending whether they will actually compete this week, as initially planned, although it would be logical for them to withdraw from the Metz and Belgrade tournaments.
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