World No. 1 Jannik Sinner expressed his disappointment over the absence of Novak Djokovic at this year’s ATP Finals, but remains optimistic about the tournament’s appeal, given the presence of eight other top players.
“We’ll definitely miss Djokovic, it’s unfortunate that he’s not here,” Sinner said during a press conference in Turin on November 6, as he prepared for the ATP Finals. “This is sport, and the reality is we’ve had quite a long season. It’s understandable that someone might miss the final big event. However, the tournament still features eight excellent players, and I hope the audience will be excited.”
Sinner’s Past Encounters with Djokovic
Sinner faced Djokovic twice at the ATP Finals last year, winning their group-stage match but losing in the final. This season, the 23-year-old Italian has had notable victories over Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open, the Shanghai Masters final, and at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event. Sinner will enter the ATP Finals as the top-ranked player of the year.
Djokovic’s Withdrawal and Future Plans
Djokovic, who holds the record with seven ATP Finals titles, announced last month that he was done with the event for now, signaling that the 37-year-old Serbian may not return until his retirement. Djokovic later confirmed his withdrawal from this year’s ATP Finals due to injury, despite earning enough points to qualify. Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, and Alex de Minaur secured the three remaining spots at the event, joining Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz.
Djokovic’s Current Focus and Future Goals
Recently, Djokovic enjoyed a vacation in the Maldives before returning to Belgrade, where he attended a few matches at an ATP 250 event this week. Djokovic’s plan is to conserve energy and prepare for the 2025 season, with the goal of winning more Grand Slam titles, starting with the Australian Open, where he is determined to capture his 11th title, beginning on January 12.
ATP Finals Format and Sinner’s Position
The ATP Finals this year will take place in Turin, divided into two groups, with the top two players from each group advancing to the semifinals. Sinner is the No. 1 seed in the Green Group, while Zverev is the top seed in the Red Group. Despite some challenges due to a failed doping test, Sinner has maintained strong form and is considered one of the top contenders for the championship.
Ivanisevic Defends Sinner Against Critics
Goran Ivanisevic, former coach of Djokovic, praised Sinner’s mental toughness and urged critics to leave him alone. “Tennis needs Sinner, and they should let it be,” Ivanisevic said. “I once coached Marin Cilic when he was in a similar situation. Even though Cilic’s suspension was reduced from nine to four months, many wanted to ruin his career. The same should not happen to Sinner.”
Ivanisevic, who helped Djokovic elevate his game during the latter part of his career, has recently been appointed as coach for world No. 5 Elena Rybakina, starting in 2025. He and Djokovic parted ways earlier this year following a tough start to the Serbian’s season.
