Novak Djokovic faced another defeat at the hands of Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the prestigious exhibition tournament, ‘Six Kings Slam,’ currently being held in Saudi Arabia. Despite the match not counting toward official ATP statistics, it marks the fourth consecutive time Djokovic has lost to Sinner, underscoring the young Italian star’s dominance in their recent encounters.
Over the past year, Sinner has emerged as one of Djokovic’s most formidable adversaries. The 23-year-old has consistently outperformed the Serbian legend, defeating him in high-stakes matches such as the 2023 Davis Cup Finals, the 2024 Australian Open semi-finals, and the Shanghai Masters 1000 final. This streak culminated in another hard-fought victory in Saudi Arabia, continuing what has become a challenging rivalry for Djokovic.
Though Djokovic pushed Sinner to three sets in their latest clash, the Italian ultimately came out on top. Djokovic started the match slowly, dropping the first set, but bounced back to win the second set in a tense tiebreak. Despite generating some momentum, Djokovic couldn’t capitalize in the decisive third set. Sinner saved several crucial break points and raised his game when it mattered most, securing his place in the final. There, he will face his other great rival, Carlos Alcaraz, for the championship.
This latest loss comes as part of a broader narrative in Djokovic’s career—one that reflects both the brilliance and challenges he has faced as he transitions into the latter stages of his tennis journey. At 37, Djokovic is still capable of producing world-class tennis, as evidenced by his 24 Grand Slam titles, including his historic triumphs this season, such as winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. However, younger stars like Sinner and Alcaraz are steadily closing the gap, pushing Djokovic to his limits in ways that his peers from the ‘Big Four’—Federer, Nadal, and Murray—once did.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic’s level of play was much closer to Sinner’s than in their recent meetings at the Australian Open and Shanghai. This signals that the Serbian is still capable of competing against the best players in the world, even as he navigates a season marked by physical setbacks and injury concerns.
In the post-match interview, Djokovic expressed his gratitude to the Saudi crowd for their enthusiastic support. “It was a great atmosphere, electrifying, both on the ground and in the stands. From the beginning of the match I was late, I fought my way, I managed to come back, but unfortunately for me, [Sinner] was very good. He played better, and I had my chances in the second and third sets. What I remember most is the noise in the stands—it was a real pleasure to play here,” Djokovic said.
While Djokovic lost to Sinner, his next challenge will be another familiar foe—Rafael Nadal. Djokovic will play Nadal in the third-place match at the ‘Six Kings Slam,’ reigniting one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history. Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 31-29, and their match in Saudi Arabia is sure to attract global attention, even as both players inch closer to the twilight of their careers.
Djokovic’s season, like his performance in Saudi Arabia, has been filled with ups and downs. He has enjoyed success, including his Olympic gold and numerous tournament victories, but also faced injuries that have hampered his form at critical moments. During his match against Sinner, Djokovic called for a medical time-out due to shoulder pain—a worrying sign as he approaches the end of the season. At his age, Djokovic knows the importance of managing his body carefully, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he opts to skip upcoming tournaments to preserve his health for next year.
Djokovic’s participation in the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals remains uncertain. While the Serbian ace would ideally like to defend his titles at these events, he may choose to prioritize rest and recovery, particularly with his sights set on a strong start to the 2025 season. Additionally, Djokovic has already announced his intention to attend the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he will help commemorate Rafael Nadal’s retirement—a significant milestone for the sport, as one of its greatest players bids farewell.
In a recent interview, Djokovic reflected on Nadal’s impending retirement, acknowledging the profound impact their rivalry has had on his own career. “He’s been my greatest rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far. We knew this moment was coming sooner or later, but it’s still a shock. When it came officially, like it did for Roger [Federer] a few years ago, and even Andy [Murray], it’s a bit overwhelming for me,” Djokovic admitted. “I still enjoy competing, but part of me leaves with them—a big part of me. It’s tough news for the tennis world, for the sports world. Rafa has been an inspiration for millions of children around the world.”
Djokovic also spoke about the transition happening in men’s tennis, with the rise of players like Sinner and Alcaraz signaling the beginning of a new era. “It’s a natural process, and people have been talking about it for years. Now we have younger guys, yes, but also players like [Daniil] Medvedev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, and [Alexander] Zverev, who are still going to stay at the top for a while. Rivalries like the one between Alcaraz and Sinner are really attracting attention to the sport, which is great for tennis.”
As Djokovic’s career nears its later chapters, he remains one of the most compelling figures in the game. Whether he can add to his 24 Grand Slam titles and continue competing with the younger generation remains to be seen, but his determination to stay at the top is unwavering. With his eyes set on 2025, Djokovic will be looking to extend his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.