Novak Djokovic is out of the ATP Finals, which begin on Sunday, because of an ongoing injury, according to various sources and his social media post. The move is not surprising because Djokovic didn't play in 2024 either, and there is no real need for him to play this year. There could be more to it, though.
The all-time great is more aware of the sport than just what he does. He's also historically done good deeds for people and causes without necessarily drawing attention to himself while doing so. Many fans prefer Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rather than Djokovic because of the common narrative about them all.
Nadal and Federer are the more effervescent of players, and they are seemingly good people. So is Djokovic, though he cares less about the media narrative about him.
Novak Djokovic withdraws from the 2025 ATP Finals
On Sunday, Novak Djokovic had an unsung, important victory. He has recently moved to Greece from his native Serbia, and he chose to play the ATP 250 Hellenic Championship. There was literally no reason for him to play in the tournament other than it was the first year for Athens to host the event, and Djokovic moved there.
Athens is not a temporary home for the 24-time Grand Slam winner. It is a permanent home. Literally no coincidence exists between his choice to play in the smaller event and his move to the city, especially with his drive to win.
But in winning the tournament, he defeated the rising 23-year-old Lorenzo Musetti, who needed to beat Djokovic to have any chance of qualifying for the ATP Finals. Only the top eight on the Road to Turin get in, and with the loss, Musetti was No. 9. Obviously, Djokovic knew this.
Musetti will likely win tournaments in his future, but playing in the year-end event carries a bit of prestige. Djokovic no longer needs that. The newly minted Greek almost certainly considered that when withdrawing from the ATP Finals in Italy.
Novak Djokovic is an all-time great. No matter what he does in the future, it will change that. Lorenzo Musetti is still finding his way to the top of the rankings and can use the experience of Turin. Djokovic knows this and just gave Musetti a chance to compete.