Novak Djokovic secured the one hundred and first title of his profession with victory at the Hellenic Championships – but then had to withdraw from the ATP Finals because of damage.
The Serb came through a gruelling encounter against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in Saturday’s remaining in Athens, preventing back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 7-5.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s victory came at a price, with Djokovic exacerbating an “ongoing” shoulder damage that will keep him out of the ATP Finals in Turin, which start on 9 November.
“I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best but after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury,” Djokovic wrote on social media.
“I’m truly sorry to the fans who were hoping to see me play – your support means so much. I wish all the players an amazing tournament, and I can’t wait to be back on the court with you all soon.”
Djokovic, 38, will be changed in the finals by Musetti – who thought his likelihood of that includes in Turin had gone following his defeat.
On a day of thrilling tennis on the ATP tour, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie missed out on a sixth profession title as American teenager Learner Tien roared back to claim his first via a deciding set tie-break at the Moselle Open in France.
Norrie, 30, who was aiming for his first title in more than two years, produced a gutsy show to battle from a set down, then a break down in the deciding set.
And he led 5-1 in the tie-break before letting 19-year-old Tien back into it with a collection of unforced errors, finally shedding 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6).
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