Grgior Dimitrov, who will not qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals with his defeat to Andy Murray in Paris, says he does not want to go to the season-ending event as an alternate.
"If I go, it is because I deserved to be there, not hope someone gets hurt so I get to play," he told L'Equipe. "So no, I don't think it's my thing."
Along with the eight players that qualify for the World Tour Finals, the next two highest-ranked players willing to play are selected as alternates for the competition, filling in during the round-robin stage if someone withdraws.
The 23-year-old Bulgarian said that he expects to qualify another year. "I just played very well this year and it would be nice to be there," he said going into the match against Murray.
Dimitrov credits coach Roger Rasheed and his own development for his rise up the ranks this year—which included his first Grand Slam semifinal, at Wimbledon—and expects to do even better upon his return to the tour. "Next season should be very good for me, considering this year was my best season," he said.