Tennis news 2025: ATP Finals player line-up, schedule; Novak Djokovic withdrawal a gift for Casper Ruud
The unexpected withdrawal of Novak Djokovic from the ATP Finals has unexpectedly benefited Norway's Casper Ruud, who now stands to earn a substantial $240,000 (AUD) without stepping onto the court.
This marks the second consecutive year that Djokovic has been absent from the ATP Finals, as he prioritizes recovery from a shoulder injury. The injury was evident during a thrilling three-hour ATP Athens 250 final against Lorenzo Musetti, where Djokovic emerged victorious despite the lingering discomfort.
The ATP Finals, a prestigious tournament featuring the season's top players, is now set to feature an intriguing lineup. Casper Ruud, who had already concluded his off-season after failing to qualify for the Race to Turin, received a late call-up as an alternate on Saturday evening, joining Musetti and Alexander Bublik in the event's alternate lineup.
The late reshuffle led to a search for a second alternate, with Jack Draper initially on the list. However, an injury prevented him from participating. Consequently, Ruud secured the call-up and will now be compensated for his services.
Ruud's presence at the event is highly unlikely, but if he were to play, he would earn an additional $255,000 for just one match, not including the potential prize money in the round-robin stage. If he features in a second match, he could earn an additional $127,500.
Italian player Lorenzo Musetti will make his debut at the event, facing Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Australian Alex de Minaur, who are the other players in his half of the draw. Musetti's first match will be against Alcaraz on Tuesday AEDT, followed by a match against de Minaur.
The ATP Finals, a showcase of tennis excellence, promises to be an exciting event with the participation of top players like Ruud and Musetti, despite the unexpected circumstances surrounding Djokovic's withdrawal.
