It would be too risky to do this at my age." I just couldn't compete at this level with Novak. "I did everything I could - pain-killers, treatment, a warm-up - right to the end.
Unfortunately I am not match fit to play the match tonight. The chaotic end to the tournament looks set to cost the ATP a high six-figure sum, with representatives set to call authorised ticket buyers in the coming days.ĭjokovic, on the other hand, is quids in, having also received a £1.32m bonus for remaining unbeaten throughout the week.īut the withdrawal of Federer did rob fans of the chance to see the world's best two players in action with Kermode admitting that the ATP would again look at the scheduling of a tournament that expected one of its semi-finalists to return for a final less than 17 hours after completing his duties.įederer, with one eye on the Davis Cup final against France next weekend, went on court personally in front of the fans and said: "I am sorry to be in a tracksuit and not in my match kit. Perhaps the true Scot, in the spirit of 1967, saw this as an opportunity to declare himself the ATP World Tour finals champion and men's tennis No1 by dint of beating Djokovic, the man who lays legitimate claim to both these titles. The British No1 had been called up from playing PlayStation games on his couch in Wimbledon at around 2pm to be asked if he would step into the breach and help entertain a crowd who had paid up to £110 for a face-value ticket for the final, set to begin at 6pm - an act he was glad to do for nothing. However, the disappointment turned to whoops of delight when ATP president Chris Kermode announced that Murray had agreed to play an eight-game set against Djokovic as an exhibition match - just three days after his 6-0, 6-1 humiliation by Federer on the same stage. The Swiss admitted at 1pm that his back had felt the after effects of his late-night semi-final battle with compatriot Stan Wawrinka and took to the O2 Arena barely half-an-hour before his scheduled final to apologise to fans that he would not be able to take part in the final despite trying "everything".
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