Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the 2024 ATP Finals is disappointing for his fans, but former British players Tim Henman and Laura Robson were not surprised by his decision.
Djokovic has won seven ATP Finals titles, making him the most successful player in the tournament's history. His triumph in last year's final against Jannik Sinner saw him overtake Roger Federer's total of six.
Now aged 37, Djokovic's decision not to play the same number of tournaments as earlier in his career to prioritize the most important events to him is entirely understandable and can help him compete for longer.
However, some may have assumed that the ATP Finals would not be one of the events Djokovic might consider skipping. Federer, who also reduced his schedule in the latter stages of his career, never missed the ATP Finals when he was fit.
But Djokovic has previously indicated he might be done with tournaments like the ATP Finals to prioritize the four Grand Slams and representing Serbia, despite the year-end tournament being such an essential part of the tennis calendar.
It is important to emphasize that Djokovic listed an injury as the reason for withdrawing from the ATP Finals. The problem could be linked to the knee injury he picked up at the French Open, which has led to him playing with strapping ever since.
Former US Open runner-up and British player Greg Rusedski had previously predicted that Djokovic would not compete at the ATP Finals to ensure he was fully fit for the Australian Open in January.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Henman did not feel Djokovic's decision was unexpected and said it shows how squarely focused the former world No. 1 is on the four Grand Slams.
"It emphasizes where Djokovic is at in his career and it centres around the Grand Slams. He's won several tour-ending championships and after another busy year at his age, taking the Olympic gold, which was his priority, he probably thinks the best thing is to rest and get ready for an assault on his 25th Grand Slam at the Australian Open."
"So, not altogether unexpected, and that disappointment is an opportunity for someone else because it releases a spot in Turin for someone else to take advantage of."
Henman's fellow Brit and Sky Sports colleague, Laura Robson, agreed that the move was unsurprising, pointing out how much more difficult Djokovic finds it to be away from his family than in the past.
"I just wasn't that surprised by it because Djokovic has spoken about how much more difficult it is for him to be away from home and that he likes to drop his kids off at school in the morning and he likes to be a really present dad and he's always kind of calling them when he's away, so it's become more difficult for him."
"And then the motivation to practice for the few weeks leading up to Turin when he's had such a big year and he's ticked off so many goals, as Tim said, must be difficult. So, I'm sure we'll see him back fresher than ever. He never seems to age otherwise in 2025 and at his favorite courts at the Aussie Open."
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