By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 17, 2025
Photo credit: Netflix/Riyadh
Facing Jannik Sinner provokes the pragmatist—and fleeting fantasist—in Novak Djokovic.
Wimbledon winner Sinner thrashed Djokovic 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the Six Kings Slam final in Riyadh against Carlos Alcaraz.
Afterward, the candid Grand Slam king summed up a match of frustration simply: “it’s never nice when someone kicks your ass like this on court.”
“Look, it felt like a runaway train,” Djokovic said of facing a sharp Sinner. “He was smacking the ball from all corners. I was just trying to hang in there. He was just too good. I was trying to hang in there. Well done to him and good luck in the finals.
“It’s always worth it because the love of the game and the passion for tennis is there. Excuse my language but it’s never nice when someone kicks your ass like this on the court. It’s definitely amazing that I’m still being able to play at a high level being Top 10, Top 5, it’s a good feeling.”
World No. 2 Sinner has defeated Djokovic six times in a row, including straight-sets wins in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon semifinals.
The 38-year-old Serbian superstar’s last win over the two-time Australian Open champion came at the 2023 ATP Finals. Though Djokovic joked about trading bodies with a younger player, the 10-time AO champion said recent defeats to Sinner and No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz have only deepened his defiance.
“Look, I’m trying my best. I have the body that I have. I’m grateful for everything that God has granted me in my life,” Olympic gold-medal champion Djokovic said. “It’s been an incredible journey, an amazing career, there’s been so much to celebrate.
“I would like if someone can trade a younger body with me, that would be nice, just for a year so I can try to win against these guys.
“Jokes aside, I still have the drive. Obviously, I know it’s becoming much more difficult for me to get a win against Jannik and Carlos particularly. But I’m going to keep challenging them until it happens. Let’s see.”
