The player said he needs several weeks of rest. The first alternate moves into the main draw.
The withdrawal was confirmed by the tournament organisers after the player informed them that he would not be fit to compete. He reached the final of the event last year and had qualified again this season, so his absence removes one of the most experienced names from the field.
What we know about the injury
The problem is in his back. According to the player’s statement, the issue has been bothering him for some time and medical advice was that competing in Turin would risk making it worse. He did not give a precise timeline for his return beyond the need for several weeks of rest.
Back injuries are common at this stage of the season, when players have been competing almost without a break since January. The indoor events in the autumn add to the load, with quick courts and long matches in a short space of time.
A spokesperson for his team said the decision had been difficult but was the right one with the new season in mind. No further medical details were released, and the player is expected to begin his recovery at home.
Who replaces him
Under the tournament rules, the first alternate moves straight into the main draw and takes the vacant place in one of the two groups. The alternates are the next players in the season’s race standings after the eight who qualified directly.
For the player coming in, it is a big opportunity. He travels to Turin knowing he will play at least three round-robin matches against the best players of the year, and a good run could bring significant ranking points and prize money.
A second alternate is also on site during the event. He steps in if another player withdraws during the tournament, which has happened several times in recent editions.
How the ATP Finals work
The ATP Finals is the season-ending event for the eight best players of the year. It has a different format from every other tournament on the calendar, which is why the draw is followed so closely.
- Eight players are split into two groups of four
- Each player meets the other three in his group in a round-robin format
- The top two in each group advance to the semi-finals
- The semi-finals and the final are played as straight knockout matches
Because every player is guaranteed at least three matches, the event rewards consistency over a full week. A single defeat in the group stage does not end a player’s tournament, but two usually does.
| Stage | Matches per player | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 3 | Round robin, best of three sets |
| Semi-finals | 1 | Knockout, best of three sets |
| Final | 1 | Knockout, best of three sets |
What it means for the draw
The draw for the group stage takes place on Thursday.
The withdrawal changes the balance of the field. The top two seeds are placed in separate groups, and the remaining players are drawn in pairs according to their position in the standings. With one of the higher-ranked players out, the alternate enters as the lowest seed, and one of the groups will look less difficult than it did a few days ago.
The players who finished the week strongly at the Paris Masters arrive in good form. The two Paris finalists will be among the favourites in Turin as the tournament starts next week, and the result of their meeting could shape the seedings and the mood going into the draw.
For the other qualified players, the news is mixed. A weaker group improves their chances of reaching the semi-finals, but the loss of an established name also takes something away from the event, which relies on top-level matches from the very first day.
Organisers will also review the schedule once the groups are known. Matches are spread across day and evening sessions, and the late change may affect which players open the tournament on the first day.
Looking ahead
The injured player is expected to use the off-season to recover fully. With the new season starting in early January, he has time to rest and rebuild his fitness before the first tournaments of the year. His team has not said which event he plans to return at.
We will publish the full draw and our group-by-group preview after Thursday’s ceremony, along with the schedule for the opening days in Turin.
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