Novak Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals this year has undoubtedly had a significant financial impact, even though it comes as no surprise to many tennis observers. The Serbian tennis legend, who qualified for this year’s prestigious event in Turin, has made the decision to sit out the tournament due to an ongoing injury, marking just the second time in his career that he has missed the event since his debut in 2007. Djokovic’s absence from the tournament, which is one of the most lucrative in tennis, means that he will forgo a substantial amount of guaranteed prize money, a cost that could exceed $1 million.
The 37-year-old had been aiming to defend his record seventh title at the ATP Finals this year, a feat he achieved in spectacular fashion last year when he triumphed over Jannik Sinner in the final. His victory in 2023 added to his impressive list of accolades at the event, but the Serbian will now be absent from this year’s edition due to injury. Djokovic’s only previous absence from the ATP Finals came in 2017, when an elbow injury forced him to cut his season short. It seems that a similar injury-related issue has kept him away this year.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury, I won’t be playing next week,” Djokovic explained in a statement confirming his withdrawal. “Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!” The announcement came after days of speculation and rumors surrounding Djokovic’s fitness, with many questioning whether the world number 1 would be able to recover in time for the ATP Finals.
Djokovic’s most recent appearance on court was in Saudi Arabia at the Six Kings Slam, a lucrative exhibition event held last month. During that tournament, he faced off against Jannik Sinner, losing to the Italian in a high-quality match. Djokovic did manage to beat his long-time rival Rafael Nadal, but it was clear that he was struggling with a shoulder problem. The shoulder injury had been bothering him throughout the event, and it seems that this issue has ultimately led to his decision to skip the ATP Finals.
Despite being in the midst of a career that has seen him achieve unprecedented success, Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals has serious financial implications. If he had competed, even if he only managed to play a single match and subsequently withdrew, he would still have been guaranteed a payment of $165,500. This sum would have been provided simply for showing up and playing one match at the event. However, by pulling out, Djokovic is leaving that money, and much more, on the table.
While prize money is not the driving force in Djokovic’s illustrious career, his withdrawal still represents a significant financial loss. Over the course of his career, Djokovic has earned a staggering $185,065,269 in prize money alone, a figure that does not include his substantial earnings from sponsorship deals, endorsement contracts, and various off-court ventures. Nonetheless, missing the ATP Finals means Djokovic is forgoing potentially more than $1 million in earnings from the event.
At the ATP Finals, just participating in the three group stage matches would have guaranteed Djokovic a payout of $331,000. Additionally, each win in the group stage would have earned him $396,500. Given Djokovic’s strong recent form, which included a run to the final of the Shanghai Masters, he would likely have been confident in his ability to win at least a couple of matches in the group stage, further boosting his earnings.
Had he progressed beyond the group stage, Djokovic’s prize money would have escalated significantly. A win in the semifinals would have brought him an additional $1,123,400, and if he had won the final for a record eighth time, he would have earned an additional $2,237,200. All told, Djokovic could have earned over $4 million if he had performed up to his usual exceptional standards in Turin.
However, while the financial windfall would have been substantial, Djokovic has made it clear that money has never been a major motivating factor in his career. Despite his success and the financial rewards that come with it, Djokovic has repeatedly emphasized that his passion for tennis and his desire to compete at the highest level are what drive him. In fact, Djokovic has said that he stopped being motivated by prize money some time ago.
“Believe it or not, I never thought of prize money being one of the sources of my motivation and inspiration to play tennis,” Djokovic has said in the past. “Of course, the money helps me have a certain standard of life and lifestyle, but that’s all. It never was and is never going to be the driving force in my life and in my career.” This mindset has allowed Djokovic to focus on his pursuit of excellence on the court, regardless of the financial rewards that accompany his success.
In addition to his career earnings, Djokovic has shown a generous side, often using his platform and financial resources to support charitable causes. Last summer, he donated the €200,000 he received from the Serbian government for his Olympic gold medal to charity, an act that further highlights his philanthropic nature. Despite his wealth, Djokovic has made it clear that his primary focus has always been on improving as a tennis player and competing for titles, rather than accumulating more money.
Djokovic’s absence from the ATP Finals is a rare moment in a career that has been marked by consistent success. With 24 Grand Slam singles titles and numerous other accolades to his name, Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Yet, even the best players in the world are not immune to the physical toll that the sport takes on the body. Injuries, particularly recurring ones like the shoulder issue that Djokovic is currently dealing with, are an unfortunate reality of professional tennis.
As Djokovic takes time to recover from his injury, fans will have to wait to see when he will next return to action. His decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals, while disappointing to his supporters, is a reminder that the pursuit of physical and mental well-being is paramount for athletes at the top of their sport. Djokovic’s future in tennis remains bright, and once he recovers, he will undoubtedly return to the court with his trademark determination and desire to add to his already legendary career. In the meantime, fans will have to look forward to seeing him compete in future events, where he will undoubtedly continue to challenge for titles and break new records.