Federer’s Withdrawal Gives Djokovic Third Straight ATP Year-End Title
A day after saving four match points in the best match of the ATP World Tour this year, Switzerland’s Roger Federer disappointedly withdrew from the championship match against Novak Djokovic on Sunday in London with a back injury. His withdrawal handed world number one Djokovic his third straight title at the year-end championships.
Federer, who tweaked his back during the final set of his two hour and 48 minute semifinal win over compatriot Stan Wawrinka on Saturday, addressed the crowd from the court to announce his withdrawal.
“Unfortunately, I’m not match fit to play the match tonight. Clearly I wish it wasn’t so. I tried all year to be ready for the ATP World Tour Finals, and I didn’t want it to end this way. I tried everything I could last night, also today—painkillers, treatment, rest so forth, warm-up, until the very end—but I can’t compete at this level with Novak. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand,” Federer said to the London crowd. “I wanted to come out personally and excuse myself. It’s been a great week for me. I played some great tennis and I love coming to The 02 and to London, and there’s been so many great memories for me here. Congrats of course to Novak, who’s played an amazing season and an amazing tournament here as well. I hope we can play some more great matches, hopefully next year.”
It is just the third time in his career that Federer has withdrawn from a match and the first time since the Doha semifinals in 2012. He is the first person to pull out of the ATP World Tour final since Juan Monaco withdrew from the final against Fernando Gonzalez in 2008.
Djokovic said he did not learn about Federer’s decision until he was warming up about an hour before the match was supposed to begin.
“We always give 100 percent. I’m sure that if he could’ve played, he would’ve done. So I wish him the best in his recovery,” said Djokovic. “I’m not one of those players that celebrate these particular wins, but I have to reflect on the whole season. This trophy is definitely the crown for all the achievements that I had this year. I owe the credit to my team, to all the people who supported me all the way through, and plenty of joy. I’m very happy to be able to stand here and finish with this trophy.”
The Serb becomes the first player to win three straight ATP Finals since Ivan Lendl did it from 1985-87. He finishes with a season with a 61-7 match record which includes seven titles.
Federer finishes the season with a 72-11 match record. He won five titles in 2014.
