Key Highlights
- Novak Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals after winning the Hellenic Championship final.
- Djokovic sets new hardcourt record with his 72nd title on hard courts in Athens.
- The Serbian tennis star is one of only three men to have won a century of titles.
- Despite playing through pain, Djokovic defeats Lorenzo Musetti to win the Hellenic Championship final on November 8, 2025.
Tennis Star’s Last-Hour Withdrawal from ATP Finals
Novak Djokovic, a 38-year-old tennis legend and seven-time winner of the ATP Finals, has pulled out of this year’s tournament. The decision comes just hours after he clinched his 101st career title by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in Athens.
Record-Setting Victory
Djokovic, who is known for his resilience and determination on the court, rallied to a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Musetti. This match lasted nearly three hours, with Djokovic overcoming five breaks of serve in the final set before securing victory with a service winner.
“An incredible battle,” Djokovic said after the match, expressing his pride and satisfaction at enduring such a grueling contest. “Three hours of a grueling match, physically… I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.”
Injury-Related Withdrawal
Despite his victory, Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals is due to an ongoing shoulder injury that has been bothering him throughout the Athens tournament. He stated on social media, “I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best… But after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury.”
Djokovic further elaborated during a press conference, explaining his decision-making process: “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.
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. I had to take all the strong medications to be able to play the match.”
The 38-year-old emphasized his commitment to avoiding further injury: “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.”
Impact on ATP Finals
Musetti, who had initially lost his final qualifying spot due to Djokovic’s victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, will now take his place at the ATP Finals. This decision means that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will miss what would have been his eighth consecutive ATP Finals appearance.
Moreover, Djokovic’s withdrawal continues a trend of injuries affecting his participation in major tournaments: he also missed last year’s event due to an injury.
Past Achievements and Future Prospects
Djokovic is one of just three men to have won over 100 titles, with two more needed to tie Roger Federer’s record. His victory in Athens set a new hardcourt mark, bringing his total to 72 on hard courts, surpassing Federer’s previous record.
The Serbian star has made significant contributions to the sport of tennis and will continue to be closely watched as he approaches his next tournaments and potential records.
