Novak Djokovic, following an exhilarating triumph in the Hellenic Championship, announced his withdrawal from the ATP Finals due to an ongoing injury. The Serbian tennis star celebrated his 101st career title in a dramatic fashion, coming from behind to defeat Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in Athens on Saturday.
After securing the victory, Djokovic expressed his joy by collapsing onto the court and ripping his shirt off in a moment of uncontainable excitement. At 38 years old, he made history by becoming the oldest player to win an ATP title, achieving this milestone at the age of 38 years, five months, and 17 days. He now holds the third position on the all-time titles list, trailing only Jimmy Connors, who has 109 titles, and Roger Federer with 103.
Despite his remarkable achievement, Djokovic’s physical condition following the match raised concerns. He confirmed on Instagram that he would not be able to compete in the ATP Finals, which are set to take place in Turin, Italy, starting on Sunday.
“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 stated. “I’m truly sorry to the fans who were hoping to see me play – your support means so much. I wish all the players an amazing tournament, and I can’t wait to be back on the court with you all soon!”
Lorenzo Musetti will step in to replace Djokovic at the ATP Finals, where he will face formidable opponents including Jannik Sinner, the reigning champion, and rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Other notable players in the lineup include Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Despite this setback, Djokovic’s 2025 season has been noteworthy. His victory at the Hellenic Championship marked his second title of the year, following his win at the Geneva Open in May, which was his 100th ATP singles title. He also reached the finals of the Miami Open, where he lost to Jakub Mensik in straight sets.
Djokovic has not secured a Grand Slam title for the second consecutive year but demonstrated resilience by reaching the semi-finals of all four major tournaments in 2025. As he focuses on recovery, his sights are set on the upcoming season, where he will aim for a record-extending 11th title at the Australian Open in January 2026. This would bring him to an astounding total of 25 Grand Slam victories.
With the ATP Finals approaching, Djokovic’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, but his legacy continues to inspire both fans and fellow competitors alike.
