ATP Finals: defending champ Novak Djokovic withdraws from season-ending event due to injury

His absence means Norway’s Casper Ruud, Australian Alex de Minaur and Russian Andrey Rublev are all guaranteed spots in the 8-man event

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Novak Djokovic won the ATP Finals title last year by beating Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the final. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:49pm, 5 Nov 2024Updated: 8:59pm, 5 Nov 2024

Defending ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the season-ending event through injury, he said on Tuesday.

The record 24-times grand slam champion’s absence means that Norway’s Casper Ruud, Australian Alex de Minaur and Russian Andrey Rublev are all guaranteed to qualify for the eight-man event regardless of their results in tournaments this week.

“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” the 37-year-old Djokovic posted on Instagram.

“Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!”

De Minaur, who had been sweating on making the cut after losing to Holger Rune in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters last week, will be making his debut in the event.

Djokovic’s withdrawal means a place for Alex De Minaur (left), who lost to Holger Rune last week. Photo: Xinhua

He will join world No 1 Jannik Sinner, twice former winner Alexander Zverev, four-time grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and American Taylor Fritz. The ATP Finals run from November 10 to 17.