According to Reuters, six-time World Tour Finals champion Roger Federer has withdrawn before the final, giving Novak Djokovic his third year-end title in a row.
The tournament’s website has posted: “His opponent, Novak Djokovic, will play a pro set (first to eight) against Andy Murray. Murray will then team with John McEnroe in a doubles exhibition against Tim Henman and Pat Cash.”
On court, Federer said, “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 [Barclays] 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 just 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.
“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 O2 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.
“Thanks to all you guys for making it special to come out and play tennis all around the world. I know you guys travel, as well, and spend a lot of money on tickets and so forth. We really, really appreciate it – me in particular. It keeps me going, it makes me tick, especially at this age. Hopefully, I can come back next year and get another chance to compete for the title here. So thank you very much and I’ll see you soon. I appreciate it.”
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Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis