By admin 
Novak Djokovic could end the year ninth in the world rankings after withdrawing from the ATP Finals.
The 37-year-old is currently ranked sixth, putting him on course for his lowest year-end position since an injury-riddled season in 2017. Djokovic has massively reduced his tournament schedule this year, with the Paris Olympics, Shanghai Masters, Davis Cup and Six Kings Slam, the only non-Grand Slam events he has competed in since the Geneva Open in May.
And now, despite being in the top eight, Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Finals due to injury.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to an ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week,” he posted Instagram. “Apologies to those who planned to see me. I wish all players a great tournament. See you soon!”
An even sharper drop in the world rankings would have left Djokovic vulnerable to an early meeting with both Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January – his next chance to win a 25th Grand Slam title.
But even the worst-case scenario of a drop to ninth would guarantee Djokovic avoids both of his main rivals until at least the quarter-finals in Melbourne due to his seeding.
That said, Djokovic’s steady decline in the rankings will ultimately impact Alcaraz and Sinner. The veteran has made it clear that he will remain selective in the tournaments he plays, with Grand Slams and Serbia commitments taking priority.
“The ATP Finals and being at the top of the rankings are no longer objectives for me,” he said in September. “I don’t know if I will play the final this year or next year, but what I need most at the moment is physical, mental and emotional rest to decide what comes next in my career, how much more I want to play. and where.”
Djokovic’s position in the ATP charts will undoubtedly suffer from his new approach. Alcaraz and Sinner will pay the price with him if it means facing the former world number 1 in the earlier rounds of major tournaments.
Although he is no longer competing at the top of the world rankings, Djokovic remains a competitor that top players will be desperate to avoid after reaching the Shanghai Masters final in October and winning an Olympic gold medal in August.