Novak Djokovic has offered an unfiltered look at how it felt to watch the 2025 ATP Finals from the sidelines, admitting he wished he had been in Turin after seeing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battle for the year-end crown. The 38-year-old, who qualified for the season-ending championships for a record-tying 18th time, said the high level of their matchup reminded him exactly why he wanted to be part of it.
The Circumstances Behind Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals Absence
Djokovic’s absence became one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 edition. Despite securing his spot early and becoming the third player to book his place at the Finals, he opted out after suffering a shoulder injury during his victorious run at the Hellenic Championships in early November.
With his focus shifting toward recovery and building momentum for the 2026 season, the Serbian star made the difficult decision to shut things down. His withdrawal opened the door to a Sinner-Alcaraz showdown, a meeting that carried extra weight due to Alcaraz locking up the year-end No. 1 ranking earlier in the week and Sinner entering the match as the defending champion.
Sinner ultimately capped off an impressive run, defeating Alcaraz 7-6 (4), 7-5 to secure his second straight ATP Finals title. The Italian delivered another flawless indoor campaign by winning the entire tournament without dropping a set, mirroring his perfect run from the previous year.
What Did Djokovic Say About Watching the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner Final?
Speaking to Eurosport while attending the Davis Cup, Djokovic admitted he was glued to the screen. “I watched the match, I watched the first set, now when they play it’s become a tradition that the 1st set ends 7-6 in one way or another, with much tension, much intensity and an astronomical level,” he said.
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Djokovic added that watching them pushed him to imagine himself back on the court. “When they play, I wish I was there because the level is very high and their rivalry is a really positive thing for our sport, they’re amazing. Jannik, in particular, what he’s done indoor in the past few years is historic.”
The match itself was fast-paced and of high quality from both sides. Alcaraz held a set point at 6-5 in the opening set, but Sinner saved it before edging out the tiebreak. In the second set, Alcaraz broke Sinner early, only for the Italian to immediately break back and maintain the pressure. Sinner eventually closed out the match 7-5, in a two-hour-plus battle.
