"Novak Djokovic's Rafael Nadal stage has begun";"This is the end" - Fans react as Serb withdraws from ATP Finals to draw 2024 season to close

Novak Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the 2024 ATP Finals on Tuesday. Although he had not officially qualified, the Serb was well on track to secure a spot. Many fans feel that, after clinching his Olympic gold, Djokovic has adopted a more relaxed approach to his tennis career.

The Serb has endured a topsy-turvy season including knee surgery and a slow start, not reaching a tour-level final until July. However, he achieved his main goal in August by winning the elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Since then, the 37-year-old has competed at the US Open, the Shanghai Masters, and the Six Kings Slam exhibition event. Djokovic withdrew from the Paris Masters through an announcement on his Instagram stories. There were doubts that he would pull out of the ATP Finals as well, in case he qualified.

Now, a week from the year-end championships in Turin, Djokovic, who was primed to qualify, has withdrawn from the event.

Taking to his Instagram stories, the 24-time Grand Slam champion wrote:

"It’s quite an honor to qualify for the @nittoatpfinals in Turin. 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!"

Following this, some fans expressed their feelings that Djokovic was entering the final stage of his illustrious career. His recent decisions like selectively participating in tournaments signal a possible shift in priorities. Rafael Nadal was on a similar path before he announced that he would retire after the Davis Cup Finals in November.

"His Rafa stage has begun," one fan wrote.

"This is the end," another fan wrote.

Many fans felt that the Serb was easing up after a monumental career achievement.

"Novak Djokovic really won Olympic Gold this year and immediately stopped giving a f**k and I fully respect that," one fan wrote.

"Crazy thing is, he played this season for 1 title, and got it," another fan wrote.

"He really dgaf at all," a third fan wrote.

"He was never going to play!! Rest well!" yet another fan wrote.

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"My priorities are the national team and grand slams, everything else is less important" - ATP Finals not on Novak Djokovic's priority list

Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam 2024 (Image: Getty)

During Serbia's Davis Cup win over Greece in September, Novak Djokovic said he was no longer interested in the rankings race and had "finished his career in other tournaments." He said,

"I am not chasing a place on the ATP list, nor the Final Masters. Those are not my goals, honestly. As for me, I finished my career in other tournaments. I don't know if I will play them in the future or this year.

"My priorities are playing for the national team and grand slams, everything else is less important. Now I need a physical, mental, and emotional rest in order to decide what and how to proceed, how much and where."

Djokovic, who was recently spotted on a vacation in the Maldives, has closed out his season with his withdrawal from the 2024 ATP Finals. He will most likely begin preparation for the 2025 Australian Open soon.