Alex de Minaur withdraws from the Belgrade Open the moment Novak Djokovic pulls out of the ATP Finals, locking de Minaur in as the first Australian at the year-end event since 2004.

Instead, Djokovic’s decision has spared him the trouble of a nail-biting final scrap with Rublev and Ruud, and given him, mercifully, a much-needed four-day break after three straight weeks of competition in Europe when, in truth, he’s not looked quite at his sharpest following the hip injury that’s dogged him since Wimbledon.

Alex de Minaur 's hopes of becoming the first Aussie tennis star in 20 years to qualify for the ATP Finals could have been given a massive boost from Novak Djokovic, after a telling development around the 24-time major winner.

(Reuters) -Defending ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the season-ending event in Turin through injury, the Serbian said on Tuesday. The record 24-times Grand Slam champion's absence means that Norway's Casper Ruud,

His absence means Norway’s Casper Ruud, Australian Alex de Minaur and Russian Andrey Rublev are all guaranteed spots in the 8-man event.