Why isn’t Novak Djokovic playing at 2024 ATP Finals? Year-end tournament absence explained, previous record
The 2024 ATP Finals began in Turin on Sunday, November 10 and runs for a week until the final the following Sunday.
The top eight players in the world this year are competing for the year-end championship trophy — albeit with one exception.
Novak Djokovic will be a notable absentee from this year’s event. Despite qualifying for the tournament due to his performances through the season, the 24-time grand slam champion had his place taken in 2024 by Andrey Rublev.
The Sporting News looks at why Djokovic is not involved and his incredible overall record at these championships.
MORE: Updated schedule, results for APT Finals 2024 | Who’s won the most ATP Finals in history?
Why isn’t Novak Djokovic playing at the ATP Finals?
Djokovic had qualified for the 2024 ATP Finals but announced in the week leading up to the tournament that he had withdrawn.
The 37-year-old cited an unspecified injury problem as he expressed his disappointment at not taking part.
In a post on his official Instagram account, Djokovic said: “I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week.
“Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!”
Djokovic had finished sixth in the Race To Turin rankings based on his performances in 2024. His place is being taken by world No. 9 Andrey Rublev.
MORE: Who has won the most grand slams in tennis?
Novak Djokovic record at ATP Finals
Djokovic has won a record seven ATP Finals titles in his career. His victory in the 2023 final over Jannik Sinner saw him set a new outright benchmark after previously being tied with Roger Federer on six.
Djokovic’s first year-end championship title win came in 2008, when he defeated Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets in Shanghai.
Overall, the Serbian has won 50 matches at the event, a tally bettered only by Federer (59 match wins). He has reached the final nine times, the same as his former coach, Ivan Lendl.
Federer also holds that particular record (10 finals) and is one ahead of Djokovic when it comes to the most ATP Finals tournaments played in (17).
Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals
| Year | Stage Reached |
| 2003-2006 | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | Round Robin phase |
| 2008 | Champion (def. Nikolay Davydenko) |
| 2009 | Round Robin phase |
| 2010 | Semifinals |
| 2011 | Round Robin phase |
| 2012 | Champion (def. Roger Federer) |
| 2013 | Champion (def. Rafael Nadal) |
| 2014 | Champion (w/o vs. Roger Federer) |
| 2015 | Champion (def. Roger Federer) |
| 2016 | Final (def. by Andy Murray) |
| 2017 | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | Final (def. by Alexander Zverev) |
| 2019 | Round Robin phase |
| 2020 | Semifinals |
| 2021 | Semifinals |
| 2022 | Champion (def. Casper Ruud) |
| 2023 | Champion (def. Jannik Sinner) |
| 2024 | Qualified but withdrew |
