Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals withdrawal gifts world No.10 $240k just for getting on a plane
The late withdrawal of Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals has gifted Norway’s Casper Ruud a $240,000 (AUD) payday – and he won’t even have to step onto the court.
It is the second consecutive year that Djokovic will not take to the court at the ATP Finals as he prepares to begin his recovery on a shoulder injury.
A thrilling three-hour ATP Athens 250 final against Lorenzo Musetti put the Serbian star’s lingering injury to the test, although it did not prevent him from snatching the title.
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Shortly after leaving the court, Djokovic informed his rival that he would not be playing in the ATP Finals due to injury, meaning Musetti would take his place at the event.
Novak Djokovic looks dejected. Getty
But it is Ruud who has become the lucky loser following Djokovic’s withdrawal.
Ruud had already entered the off-season after failing to qualify for the Race to Turin, which sees the eight best players of the season come together to battle, but he received a late call-up to the competition as an alternate on Saturday evening.
Musetti and Alexander Bublik were already named as the alternates for the event but the latter has now been elevated to first reserve for the tournament in case of injury.
The late reshuffle meant that the ATP were on the hunt for a second alternate, with Jack Draper the next on the list. However, due to injury he was unavailable.
Thus, Ruud earned the call-up and will now receive a $240,000 payday for his services.
Casper Ruud celebrates after winning a point. Getty
The 26-year-old flew in to the event on Sunday and was spotted on the sidelines when Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz defeated Aussie Alex de Minaur 7-6(5), 6-2.
It is highly unlikely that Ruud will play at the event, but if he were to be inserted he would receive an additional $255,000 for just one match. That sum does not include prize money that he could win in the round-robin stage.
If he is to feature in a second match, he will receive an additional $127,500.
Italian Musetti will make his debut at the event against Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and de Minaur, who are the three other players in his half of the draw.
His first match up will be against Alcaraz on Tuesday AEDT before he meets de Minaur.
