Novak Djokovic Wins 2014 ATP World Finals After Roger Federer Withdraws Injured

Novak Djokovic is the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals champion after Roger Federer withdrew from the event with an injury minutes before the pair's hotly anticipated final.    

The news was confirmed by SI Tennis on Twitter:

The Swiss maestro was made to battle hard to overcome compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in a draining semi-final clash. ESPN's Nick Atkin reports Federer aggravated a back injury he was ailing from during that match. Although the specific details of the 17-time Grand Slam winner’s injury have yet to be fully revealed, such an abrasive match—in addition to the harsh rigours of a draining season—looks to have taken its toll on the 33-year-old.

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Federer confirmed that it would have been a massive risk for him to take part in the final, per BBC Tennis:

While the fans in attendance at the O2 Arena were respectful, this news will have come as a massive disappointment to punters hoping to see a classic encounter between the world’s two best players. Both Federer and Djokovic have been at their sparkling best throughout the tournament, and a final between the two would have been the perfect way to cap the season.

But credit must go to the organisers, who acted swiftly to put on an exhibition match that will see British No. 1 Andy Murray take on Djokovic, per Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times:

Federer will be desperate to overcome these fitness concerns quickly in order to take his place in the Switzerland team for the Davis Cup Final; that clash is due to take place between 21-23 November, where the Swiss will take on France.

Djokovic himself admitted that he felt weary on the back of his semi-final triumph over Kei Nishikori, per Piers Newbery of BBC Sport, but such is his fierce competitive instinct, the Serb will not have wanted to win the tour finals in this fashion. Nonetheless, it caps off a wonderful year for the world No. 1, as he preserves his longstanding unbeaten record on indoor courts and adds another title to his bristling collection.

Federer is clearly feeling the effect of a long season, and as he approaches the twilight of his career, you suspect he’ll be a little more astute in plotting the tournaments he features in going forward. Despite this, he’s had a fine finish to the year and will be a major player again in 2015 once he gets over these fitness concerns.