### Djokovic's Withdrawal from ATP Finals: A Twist After Athens Triumph Novak Djokovic's recent victory at the Hellenic Championship in Athens, where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti, has been overshadowed by his unexpected withdrawal from the ATP Finals. Despite clinching his 101st career title, Djokovic cited a shoulder injury as the reason for his decision to pull out just a day before the tournament's commencement. This withdrawal not only affects Djokovic's participation but also opens the door for Musetti, who will now take his place in the prestigious event in Turin. ### Breakdown of Events Leading to Djokovic's Withdrawal 1. **Victory in Athens**: - Djokovic won the Hellenic Championship, defeating Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, marking his 101st title and setting a record for the most hard-court titles in men's tennis history with 72 [https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/46894194/djokovic-wins-athens-title-puts-auger-aliassime-atp-finals]. 2. **Injury Concerns**: - Shortly after his victory, Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the ATP Finals due to a shoulder injury, a decision that surprised many fans and analysts alike [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/djokovic-withdraws-atp-finals-after-athens-win-5455686?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_09112025_cna]. 3. **Impact on ATP Finals**: - Musetti, who was the runner-up in Athens, will replace Djokovic in the ATP Finals, where he will compete for the coveted title [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/lorenzo-musetti-novak-djokovic-score-36217917]. 4. **Djokovic's Legacy**: - This marks the second consecutive year that Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals, raising questions about his fitness and future in the sport [https://www.newsday.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-musetti-athens-p04864]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Statistics**: - Djokovic's victory in Athens was hard-fought, lasting over three hours, showcasing his resilience despite the injury concerns [https://www.thederrick.com/ap/sports/djokovic-beats-musetti-to-win-athens-title-and-send-auger-aliassime-into-atp-finals/article_dd3827e7-7647-59aa-b210-e0e5039c2829.html]. - **Historical Context**: - With this win, Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer for the most hard-court titles, emphasizing his dominance in the sport [https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/46894194/djokovic-wins-athens-title-puts-auger-aliassime-atp-finals]. ### Conclusion: A Surprising Turn of Events In summary, **Djokovic's withdrawal from the ATP Finals after his Athens victory is a significant development in the tennis world**. The implications of this decision are profound, not only for Djokovic's career but also for Musetti, who now has a chance to compete at the season's pinnacle event. 1. **Djokovic's Injury**: His shoulder injury has led to his withdrawal, raising concerns about his health [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/tennis/explained-why-novak-djokovic-pulled-out-of-atp-finals-a-day-before-tournament-kick-off-article-153122631]. 2. **Musetti's Opportunity**: Musetti will step in to fill the void left by Djokovic, marking a pivotal moment in his career [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/djokovic-withdraws-atp-finals-after-athens-win-5455686?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_09112025_cna]. 3. **Legacy Considerations**: This marks a notable moment in Djokovic's legacy, as he faces challenges in maintaining his competitive edge [https://www.newsday.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-musetti-athens-p04864]. This situation underscores the unpredictable nature of sports and the ongoing challenges athletes face in balancing performance with health.