Novak Djokovic pulls out of ATP Finals for the second consecutive year due to injury

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year due to a shoulder injury. The 38-year-old missed the season-ending tournament last year and has been replaced by Lorenzo Musetti, despite winning his 101st career title in Athens

Athens: Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Finals for the second year in a row, shortly after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a near three-hour final to win the Hellenic Championship.

Djokovic said a shoulder injury would prevent him from playing in the season-ending event for the top eight men’s players, which starts on Sunday in Turin, Italy.

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“I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury,” Djokovic said in a post on social media.

The decision means Musetti will take Djokovic’s place, even though his loss to Djokovic initially handed the final qualifying spot to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Djokovic has won the ATP Finals seven times, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion also missed the tournament last year because of an injury.

On Saturday, the Serb rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Musetti to clinch his 101st career title.

The 38-year-old Djokovic also set a men’s record with his 72nd title on hard courts, one more than Roger Federer.

“An incredible battle,” Djokovic said after the match. “Three hours of a grueling match, physically… I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.”

The final set featured five breaks of serve before Djokovic clinched victory with a service winner. Musetti has now lost his last six tour-level finals.