DJOKOVIC OUT OF ATP FINALS AFTER ATHENS GLORY

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals in Turin despite just winning his 101st career title in Athens.

Te Serbian defeated Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to claim the Hellenic Championship, setting a new hard-court milestone by securing his 72nd hard-court title, more than Roger Federer.

However, the 38-year-old Serbian noted that a persistent shoulder injury flared up during the tournament in Athens, leading him to believe he wouldn’t be able to compete at the required level in Turin.

He admitted that after his Friday match, his condition worsened and that he had taken “strong medications” to play the final.

Djokovic’s spot at the ATP Finals is being taken by Musetti, who had been waiting in the wings to secure his place on the court.

With Djokovic out, Musetti joins fellow Italian Jannik Sinner in the tournament, and for the first time, two Italians will feature in the event.

Djokovic has won the tournament seven times before, and this marks the second year in a row he’s been forced to withdraw.  

Despite this setback, he leaves Athens on a high note, but the shoulder condition now puts his immediate competitive future under a cloud.

Image credit: WRAL