ATP Finals stars get preferential treatment after Novak Djokovic uncertainty wreaked havoc

The ATP Finals schedule has been rejigged this year after the Race to Turin went down to the wire, and it's left two players much better off than the rest of their rivals. The eight players who qualify for the season-ending championships are divided into two groups, and each group plays its matches every other day.

However, there was plenty of uncertainty over who would even be playing in Turin this year, as the eighth and final place in the draw was not determined until Saturday evening, while Novak Djokovic also decided on his participation at the 11th hour, pulling out the night before the tournament started.

Initially, Djokovic was drawn in the Jimmy Connors Group alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur. Meanwhile, the Bjorn Borg Group contained Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, and a yet-to-be-determined eighth seed.

Lorenzo Musetti and Felix Auger-Aliassime were fighting for that eighth spot. Musetti had to win the title in Athens to qualify; otherwise, Auger-Aliassime got into the ATP Finals.

And there was more uncertainty as Djokovic, who was set to be the No. 4 seed in Turin, was also in action in Athens. The Serbian superstar hadn't committed to competing in the year-end championships, and only made a decision once the Athens event was over.

In typical fashion, Djokovic faced Musetti in the Athens final on Saturday night - meaning all ATP Finals scenarios were decided at the last possible moment. Ultimately, Djokovic won Athens and then pulled out of the ATP Finals. It meant that Auger-Aliassime got the No. 8 seed spot in the Borg Group, and Musetti replaced Djokovic in the Connors Group.

But it wasn't known whether Djokovic, Musetti, or Auger-Aliassime would compete in Turin when the schedules for the first two days of the ATP Finals were released, and organisers had to ensure that they all had enough time to prepare for their opening matches.

It meant the players in the Connors and Borg Groups were split up. Alcaraz and De Minaur faced off on Sunday afternoon, while Zverev and Shelton met in the night session.

Musetti had some extra time to rest, flying into Turin straight after losing in the Athens final, and he lost to Fritz on Monday afternoon. Sinner and Auger-Aliassime featured in Monday's night session.

But the schedule now needs to be adjusted to allow players in the same group to compete on the same day. It means that Zverev and Shelton get extra time to rest compared to everyone else in the field.

Two-time former champion Zverev defeated tournament debutant Shelton 6-3 7-6(6) on Sunday, and then confirmed that neither of them would play again until Wednesday.

"I have two days off now. I'm sure they will be beneficial to me. Looking forward to the next couple of matches, which are going to be difficult, as well," the world No. 3 said.

Tuesday's order of play has now been released, and Fritz will be back on the court less than 24 hours after he won his opening match in Turin, as he faces Alcaraz on Tuesday afternoon. Musetti will also return on Tuesday evening as he takes on De Minaur.

Sinner and Auger-Aliassime, who are in the same group as Zverev and Shelton, will play on Wednesday, getting one day off instead of two.