Novak Djokovic will not defend his ATP Finals title as the 24-time Grand Slam winner has pulled out of the tournament due to an unspecified injury, Afrosport reports.
The 37-year-old Serb, who has won a record seven ATP Finals titles, had already qualified as the sixth-best player on the ATP Tour this season, having racked up 3,910 points.
However, Djokovic announced on his Instagram on Tuesday that he has pulled out of the event due to an “ongoing injury”.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” Djokovic wrote on social media.
“Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon.”
The Serb’s withdrawal five days before this year’s event means the ninth-best-ranked player in the men’s singles will earn his spot at the tournament.
The season-ending ATP Finals, an eight-man tournament, begins in Turin, Italy, on Sunday, November 10, and ends on November 17.
Djokovic beat current world number one Jannik Sinner in the final last year to extend his dominance in the event.
The 10-time Australia Open champion ends 2024 with a 37-9 win-loss record, and despite failing to get his hands on any of the Grand Slams, he won his first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games last summer.
