• Novak Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals due to a persistent shoulder injury.
• Djokovic's withdrawal comes shortly after winning his 101st title in Athens.
• Lorenzo Musetti will replace Djokovic in the tournament starting Sunday in Turin.
• This is the second consecutive year Djokovic has missed the ATP Finals due to injury.
• Djokovic's victory set a men's record for the most titles on hard courts.

Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the ATP Finals, citing a shoulder injury that has hindered him following his recent victory at the Hellenic Championship in Athens. The decision was announced shortly after Djokovic secured his 101st career title by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a draining three-hour match, finishing 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic expressed his disappointment, stating, "I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best...but I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury," according to Le Monde, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

His withdrawal is a significant update for the tournament, as Musetti, who narrowly lost to Djokovic in Athens, will now step into his place in the Jimmy Connors Group. This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time two Italian singles players—Musetti and defending champion Jannik Sinner—will compete in the ATP Finals simultaneously, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

Djokovic's ongoing injury has been a concern throughout the Athens tournament, affecting his ability to perform at the expected level. He noted, "I felt there’s no chance for me to go through the entire tournament in Turin with the required level of tennis when you’re playing the best eight in the world," reflecting the seriousness of his condition. He further explained that he had been managing pain during the matches and delayed his decision regarding participation in Turin until after the final, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

This year's withdrawal is not an isolated incident for the tennis star; he also missed the previous edition of the ATP Finals due to injury. Djokovic's remarkable victory in Athens not only marked a significant milestone in his career but also set a new record for the most titles won on hard courts, surpassing Roger Federer with 72 titles. This achievement adds to Djokovic's illustrious legacy as he aims to catch Jimmy Connors' all-time title record of 109, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.