Not a big shock given how he had talked about his plans for the season (and how he was already on vacation in the Maldives), but Novak Djokovic choosing not to defend his title at the ATP Finals in Turin after qualifying is still remarkable.
ATP Finals absence sees Djokovic finish season outside Top-5 for second time since 2006
ATPTuesday, 05 November 2024 at 22:30
The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic an incredible streak, having finished in the top-5 in 17 of the past 18 seasons since 2006, with only one exception until now.
Djokovic's consistency over the last two decades has kept him as one of the dominant forces on the Tour, alongside the Big-3, who have effectively limited other players’ access to the highest-ranking spots.
Djokovic to wrap up season outside top-5
The only time since 2006 that Djokovic didn’t end the year in the top 5 was in 2017, a year plagued by injuries, when he finished his season in July and dropped to World No. 12 by December. That year, Djokovic competed in 10 tournaments and achieved some notable results, such as reaching the semifinals at the Madrid Open, the finals in Doha and Rome, and the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, although it wasn’t enough due to the limited number of tournaments he played.
This season has marked a year of change in the ATP, with Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray’s retirements, along with a Djokovic season below expectations. This is the first season in 20 years in which no member of the Big-4 has won a Grand Slam title.
Djokovic’s season was not up to his usual standards, as he didn’t win any ATP-level titles. However, he finally managed to secure the Olympic gold medal, the last major title missing from his remarkable career. Currently ranked World No. 6, Djokovic’s absence from the ATP Finals means he won’t be able to defend his 2023 title or re-enter the top 5 this year.
With his absence, the final qualifying spots for the ATP Finals went to Casper Ruud, Alex De Minaur, and Andrey Rublev. All three players have the chance to surpass Djokovic in the rankings if they secure at least one round-robin win in the tournament. Thus, Djokovic is set to end the season ranked between World No. 6 and No. 9.
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