"It's brutal" - Ex-American pro sympathizes with Lorenzo Musetti after Novak Djokovic’s late ATP Finals withdrawal leaves Italian in tough spot

After Novak Djokovic's late withdrawal from the ATP Finals, Lorenzo Musetti replaced the Serb at the season-ending tournament. The former tennis player, Steve Johnson, sympathized with the Italian's challenging spot, as he had to immediately join the tournament after the Hellenic Championship.

On November 8, Djokovic and Musetti contended for the Athens title. After 3 hours of intense competition, the Serb prevailed over the Italian with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Initially, the 38-year-old was scheduled to compete in the ATP Finals; however, he pulled out due to a shoulder injury at the last moment. Replacing him, Musetti, who was initially in the first alternate position, immediately had to take the main field after the grueling final in Athens.

Amid this, in the recent episode of the Nothing Major Show, Sam Querrey, John Isner, and Steve Johnson discussed the circumstances. Sympathizing with Musetti, Johnson said that it's a bummer for the 23-year-old, as it was his ATP Finals debut and he couldn't be in any of the pre-tournament stuff. (7:01 onwards)

"Novak could do whatever he wants, but it does I feel like it is a little bit of a bummer for Lorenzo cuz like, you know, first finals he makes and he's like in none of the photos, like none of the pre-week stuff, like it's kind of a bummer. I think it's brutal that he had to get there and was in none of the the pre-stuff but yeah next year they've changed that rule so it ends in Paris but he did it tried to do it the hard way qualify and came up a little short but ultimately gets in." said Steve Johnson.

Musetti's opening match at the season-ending tournament was against Taylor Fritz on November 10. The American registered a straight two-set (6-3, 6-4) victory against the Italian.

Novak Djokovic weighed in on his triumph at Athens 2025

Novak Djokovic was on cloud nine after his victory at the 2025 Hellenic Championship. Opening up about the win in his victory speech, he said hat he was proud of himself for competing in such a tough final.

"An incredible battle… Three hours of a gruelling match, physically. It could have been anybody's match, so congrats to Lorenzo for an amazing performance. I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one," said Novak Djokovic, via ATP Tour.

Novak Djokovic hinted that his retirement is three years away as he expressed his wish to represent Serbia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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