Novak Djokovic’s controversial decision has just been justified after Jannik Sinner wins the ATP Finals

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Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season was miraculous, even if he did not capture the coveted 25th Grand Slam that he so desperately desires.

After all, not only did he finish the year ranked fourth in the world, but he did so on a massively reduced schedule, focusing as much as possible on the four majors.

Despite failing to win any of them, reaching the semi-finals in all four marked an outstanding achievement that, for most other players, would have been a career-best year.

For him, this is not enough.

That likely explains why he made so many tough, at times controversial decisions throughout the season, particularly regarding his participation at events.

However, perhaps his most notable and provocative withdrawal came right at the end of the year, withdrawing from the ATP Finals.

Novak Djokovic made a smart move to skip the ATP Finals

A seven-time champion at this event, he had rightfully earned his spot at the prestigious end-of-year event, where only the world’s top eight qualify.

However, he turned it down, instead allowing Lorenzo Musetti the chance to participate for the very first time.

Throughout 2025, Novak Djokovic’s sole goal was to find a way to beat one of, or both, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at a Grand Slam. They were the only real threat to his chances of winning number 25.

He likely looked at the ATP Finals, where he would almost definitely have had to face both of them at least once each to win the title, and wondered what the point was.

The Serbian superstar has already proven himself at this tournament time and time again, and would have gained nothing from exhausting himself further in the pursuit of minor glory.

Instead, for him, that extra week of rest can be used to prepare for the real opportunity at the start of 2026.

Novak Djokovic’s full focus will now be on the 2026 Australian Open

Whilst Sinner and Alcaraz battled it out for the title, Djokovic will have already been plotting his route to the Australian Open title.

After all, many have argued that it remains one of his best chances to secure that 25th major title, given he is the greatest champion in the event’s history.

By using that extra week, alongside the rest of his off-season, to prepare, he can hopefully recharge his tank and return to Melbourne ready to give it his all.

He has proven that his world-class technical quality remains, but unsurprisingly, his 38-year-old physicality fails him.

If he can enter Australia as fresh as possible, he will have the greatest chance yet to win the title that will see him retire content, as the undisputed greatest player of all time.