"Novak told me on the court that he won't be going to Turin" - Lorenzo Musetti unveils exact words Novak Djokovic told him after final defeat

After winning the final of the Hellenic Championship, Novak Djokovic looked to have told something to Lorenzo Musetti at the net, seemingly cheering up the Italian after what seemed like a catastrophic defeat. The reason has now been revealed, with the Serbian giving Musetti the good news he was praying for.

It was desperate times for the Italian who was watching his ATP Finals qualification slowly slip from his grasp. Looking in a controlling position going into the Paris Masters, the situation flipped on its head. He was unable to make any progress into the tournament, losing in the second-round to fellow countryman Lorenzo Sonego. He could only gaze in agony at the ruthless run Felix Auger-Aliassime produced to go on. The Canadian made it all the way to the final, with qualification for a first ATP Finals since 2022 just a solitary victory away.

Unfortunately, it would be a repeat of the semi-final at Flushing Meadows, with a rampant Jannik Sinner brushing him aside to clinch the title. His fellow Italian, Musetti, breathed a huge sigh of relief, although his situation still looked perilous. He needed to win the Hellenic Championship to jump above Auger-Aliassime.

In the end, this would be pointless. He would face Djokovic in the final of his home event. Despite taking the first set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion found a way back into it, claiming his 101st ATP title. This looked like the end of the road for Musetti, but there would be another twist in the story. With his qualification already sealed for Turin, there was murmurs around Djokovic's involvement with the 38-year-old leaving everyone on the edge of their seats by making them wait for the final minute to make his decision.

It would be fantastic news for Musetti, who found out at the net from Djokovic himself. "Novak told me on the court that he won't be going to Turin. I'm not sure how to feel now after a loss in the final, but Novak told me that," Musetti said after the final defeat.

"Well, I think Novak, he was completely in the rules of the ATP, of the tournament itself," Musetti admitted. "Of course, I think the strange situation was that he was playing literally the week before the [tournament]. That could be a little bit strange for a player who is already qualified. But that's the only thing.

The two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist stated he was 'curious' all weed about his eventual decision. "Of course, when he told me at the net after the match that he was not coming, honestly we had a laugh about it. I was curious all week. I was curious if he was coming or not. Of course, I was trying to focus on myself. I think I made a good work at that, even if I didn't win the final."

It has been a solid year for Musetti. A maiden Masters 1000 final in the Monte-Carlo Masters was closely followed by semi-final in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. Aside from a quarter-final at the US Open, it was a disappointing end of the campaign for the 23-year-old.

He should have had qualification wrapped up earlier after losing in the Chengdu Open final for the second year on the spin, this time against Alejandro Tabilo. In the end, everything worked out for Musetti, and he will make his ATP Finals debut on home soil.

His first test comes later today against last year's finalist Taylor Fritz. He is in the Jimmy Connors group with Alex de Minaur and the world number one Carlos Alcaraz. It is yet to be seen how he will cope after just exerting a lot of effort in Athens.