Novak Djokovic has made official his absence from the ATP Finals, scheduled at the Inalpi Arena in Turin from 10 to 17 November 2024. News that has been in the air for several weeks, but which has now also been made official.
The announcement came from the Serbian tennis player himself through his social channels: “It is a real honor to qualify for the Finals in Turin. I was looking forward to being there but due to an ongoing injury I will not be able to play next week. I apologize to those who were planning to see me. I wish all the players a great tournament. See you soon.”
Despite the absence of ATP titles and the Slam final in Wimbledon, Nole had almost mortgaged access to the year-end Master reserved for the best eight with 3910 points. The only possibility that could exclude him was the semi-final of Casper Ruud in Metz and the simultaneous victory of Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev between the ATP 250 of Belgrade and the French competition. Nole has however announced that he will not reach Italy for the Finals, in case of qualification.
Djokovic is the most successful tennis player at the ATP Finals, winning in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022 and also last year. The 37-year-old will therefore focus on the start of 2025 with the Australian Open: one of his priorities remains the 25th Slam to close a circle in a career full of records and impressive goals. His fans will have to wait a few months before seeing him back on the court.
The choice of the Serbian champion is a textbook choice: it recalls the one made by Roger Federer in the second half of 2016. In that portion of his career, many saw the Swiss Maestro in the plot, but in January he beat Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open at the end of an epic tournament, rewriting history. The Swiss champion was almost 36 years old at the time. In January 2025, Nole will be 37 years old: he will show up in Australia polished, fresh and rested, a strategy to win the much-dreamed-of 25th Major.
A few weeks ago, Nole had already sent signals of a possible choice to skip the ATP Finals, also giving up playing the Paris Rolex Masters. It was already clear that, regardless of what the ATP Race to Turin would have said, the Serbian champion was planning to skip the Nitto ATP Finals even if he qualified.
Through a story published on his Instagram account, Djokovic remembered the historic victories achieved in the tournament and wrote: “Unfortunately I will not play the Rolex Paris Masters this year. I apologize to everyone who was hoping to see me play there. I wish all the players, sponsors, organizers and fans a great tournament. I have so many great memories after winning the title seven times and I hope to return next year.”
In the meantime, this season has ended the dominant and unchallenged tennis era of the Big 3. Rafael Nadal’s retirement at the end of the season will leave Novak Djokovic orphaned by his two great rivals from 2025. It is already certain that the three will no longer compete in an official match on the ATP circuit: the last act took place at the Six Kings Slam between Nole and Rafa, but for statistical purposes it will not count as it was played during an exhibition tournament. Therefore, it is possible to make an analysis of the direct clashes between the three players and who was the best in this aspect.
Overall, Djokovic was the best with the victory of 58 precedents (31 against Rafa and 27 against Roger). Nadal follows with 29 successes against Nole and 24 against Federer. Further back is the Swiss with 23 victories in matches with the Serbian and 16 with Rafa. The rivalry with the most challenges was that between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (60). Following are the clashes between Nole and Roger Federer (50) and those with Rafa and Roger as protagonists (40).
Nadal could only make all his talent count on clay in direct clashes with his opponents (20-9 against Nole, 14-2 against Roger). Djokovic is ahead on hard-courts (20-7 over Rafa and 20-18 against Federer). Balance also on grass, where there is generally less play: 2-2 between Djokovic and Nadal, 3-1 Federer over Nadal, 3-1 Nole over Roger, with the unforgettable final at Wimbledon in 2019.
