What promised to be a thrilling battle for the remaining ATP Finals spots between Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, and Alex de Minaur will no longer occur due to Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the year-end tournament.
Djokovic was very close to qualifying for the ATP Finals. Only an improbable set of results this week would have prevented the Serbian from officially booking his place at the event in Turin.
Andrey Rublev winning the Moselle Open in Metz, Alex de Minaur claiming the Belgrade Open title, and Casper Ruud reaching at least the semifinal of the Moselle Open were the only results that would have stopped Djokovic from qualifying if he wanted to play.
However, there had been speculation for weeks about whether Djokovic intended to play at the ATP Finals. The former world No. 1 had previously indicated he was done with tournaments outside Grand Slams and representing Serbia.
Despite the ATP Finals being one of the most significant tournaments on the tennis calendar, the 37-year-old's schedule is much lighter than it used to be, allowing him to prioritize the events that matter most to him.
Speculation about Djokovic's season being over intensified when he was pictured in the Maldives with his family on holiday. That act did not seem to represent a man preparing to play again soon.
Djokovic is officially back from the Maldives. The 10-time Australian Open champion caused a frenzy by appearing at the Belgrade Open on Monday to sign autographs for fans.
But any renewed hope about that indicating he could compete at the ATP Finals has now ended. Djokovic withdrew from the year-end tournament on Tuesday due to an ongoing injury.
The Serbian's statement did not provide much precise detail, but he might be referring to a knee injury he first sustained at the French Open. Djokovic has played his matches since then with strapping to manage that issue.
While Djokovic's move prevents what could have been a dramatic week at the Moselle Open and the Belgrade Open, Ruud, Rublev, and de Minaur will be relieved to avoid the pressure of that situation.
Ruud was the 2022 runner-up to Djokovic at the ATP Finals. Indoor hardcourts do not naturally suit his game, but he has shown an ability to adapt. Djokovic's withdrawal puts him at No. 6 in the race, but the Norwegian's place is secure regardless.
De Minaur's qualifying is particularly impressive. The Australian missed most of the North American hardcourt season with an injury and the entire Asian swing, but he will still compete in the ATP Finals for the first time.
Rublev's form has dipped in the last few months, but his great results earlier in the season were enough to secure his spot. The 10-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist will hope to avoid the concerning meltdown he had at the Paris Masters.
Although Djokovic's withdrawal is a shame, the 2024 ATP Finals still promises to be a terrific tournament with eight superb players vying for the title in Turin.
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