Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will not defend his ATP Finals title due to an ongoing injury, bringing an early end to his 2024 season.

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic, currently ranked 5th in the world, announced on Tuesday that he would not be competing in the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled to begin on Sunday. The 37-year-old Serbian, who had been one of the contenders for the remaining spots in the season-ending event, cited an ongoing injury as the reason for his withdrawal.

In a statement posted on social media, Djokovic expressed his disappointment, saying, *“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!”*

The news comes as little surprise, given Djokovic’s recent struggles with form and injury. He had previously withdrawn from the Paris Masters earlier this month, signaling an end to a challenging season. 2024 marks the first year since 2006 that Djokovic has failed to secure an ATP title, with the younger generation, including players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, having eclipsed his position at the top of the sport.

Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s year was not without triumph, as he won singles gold at the Paris Olympics, completing his collection of major honors.

Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals also automatically opens up three places for other players, including Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, and Andrey Rublev, who were previously on the cusp of qualification. Ruud and Rublev are currently in action in Metz, while de Minaur is competing in Belgrade.

With this announcement, Djokovic’s 2024 season officially came to a close, as he looks to recover from injury and regroup for a fresh start in 2025.