2020 ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev has expressed deep regret over Novak Djokovic‘s withdrawal from this year’s season-ending finale. The Serbian announced his withdrawal earlier this week due to an undisclosed injury.

Djokovic’s absence marks the first time since 2001 that none of the Big 3 are competing in the ATP Finals. However, Medvedev believes that this situation could encourage the audience to look forward to a new champion on the podium.

Two players hoping there won’t be a new winner this year are Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Medvedev claimed his sole ATP Finals title in 2020, while Zverev won in 2018 and 2021.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are considered strong favorites for this year’s edition. The two find themselves in opposite groups.

Daniil Medvedev is ready to compete at the Nitto ATP Finals. On Thursday (November 7), he practiced on the main court at the Inalpi Arena, preparing for the big event. The No. 4-ranked player looked calm and focused as he trained with Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, an 18-year-old from Norway. Italian schoolchildren watched from the stands, cheering him on.

Medvedev, who won the ATP Finals in 2020, is making his sixth straight appearance at the tournament. The 28-year-old arrives in Turin with a solid record this season, boasting 45 wins and 19 losses.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Italy’s own Jannik Sinner practiced with American Andres Martin. After their training session, Sinner shared advice with Martin at the net. Sinner, currently World No. 1, lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, but is determined to capture the title this time.

The draw for the tournament will reveal each player’s path to the trophy. It is set to take place around 12:45 p.m. CET on Thursday. The event runs from November 10 to 17 in Turin.