Novak Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic won’t defend his ATP Finals title after ruling himself out citing an injury, leaving the season-ending event without a member of the Big Three of men’s tennis for the first time in 23 years.

“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, without specifying what the problem is. “Apologies to those who were planning to see me.”

The eight-man tournament begins Sunday in Turin, Italy.

Djokovic has won the ATP Finals a record seven times. He beat current No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the title last year.

Roger Federer, who announced his retirement in 2022, won the event six times after making his debut in 2002; Rafael Nadal, who is retiring after playing in the Davis Cup this month, was the runner-up twice at the ATP Finals but never won it.

Not since 2001 has the tournament been held without at least one of Djokovic, Federer or Nadal. This season also was the first since 2002 without at least one Grand Slam title for a member of that trio.

Djokovic finishes the year with a 37-9 record but only one tournament championship: his first Olympics gold medal.