Djokovic saves 200,000 francs with his injury

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals in Turin (November 10 to 17). The justification for his absence relieves his wallet.

Simon Häring

For the first time since 2006, Novak Djokovic (37) ends a season without having won a tournament on the ATP circuit. The highlight of his year? The Olympic coronation in Paris. This is the only title still missing from the record of the man with 24 Grand Slam trophies. After these Olympics, Djokovic played two more tournaments: he failed in the third round of the US Open and reached the final in Shanghai.

Nevertheless, the Serbian would probably have qualified for the ATP finals in Turin (the Masters), which begin on Sunday and bring together the eight best tennis players of 2024. He occupies 6th place in the Race, the annual ranking.

But Djokovic withdrew from this Masters. On Tuesday he wrote on his social networks:

However, he did not specify what he was suffering from.

His three direct competitors, entered this week in the tournaments in Metz (Rublev and Ruud) and Belgrade (De Minaur), would undoubtedly not have overtaken him. After Djokovic’s withdrawal, all three are guaranteed to play the Masters.

Presence OBLIGATORY in Turin

Even if Rublev, Ruud and De Minaur (who withdrew from Belgrade as soon as he knew he qualified for Turin) had overtaken him, the Serb would have been expected in Piedmont. Indeed, the rules require that the ninth and tenth in the annual ranking be ready on site to be able to replace one of the eight qualifiers who withdraws due to injury. And this until the end of the group stage, in a week.

With 4.4 million dollars (3.8 million Swiss francs), the amount lost for Djokovic would have been around 200,000 francs. But by claiming an injury to justify his absence, the Serb avoids this financial sanction.

Others priorities

In another context, Novak Djokovic will have a shortfall next January. As he has only played half the number of Masters 1000s required to play in 2024 (eight), he will not have access to the ATP bonuses ($20 million) that the players share.

But that’s not a problem at all for the reigning Olympic champion. During his career, he has already pocketed $185 million in tournament winnings. And recently, he received $1.5 million for his participation in the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia.

He probably hoped that in his absence, his direct competitors would catch up with him in the annual rankings. Missed!

The last Djokovic-Nadal in history took place in Saudi Arabia. Image: keystone

Now, Djokovic – who came as a spectator to the Belgrade tournament on Sunday – is enjoying his time at home and with his family. Asked about the ATP Finals, he had already declared after his defeat in the final in Shanghai:

For him, all that counts now are the Grand Slam tournaments, the Davis Cup matches with Serbia and the exhibitions, such as in Saudi Arabia, which allow him to take his mind off things and earn millions in the process.

Usually, he planned his schedule six months in advance, but “that’s not the case anymore. Now it’s more spontaneous. “Nole” needs to feel physically, emotionally and mentally fit. But that has rarely been the case this year.

For now, Novak Djokovic has not specified when he will return to the circuit.

Translation and adaptation into French: Yoann Graber