“I tried to intimidate him, but it didn’t work”: Novak Djokovic on his failed plan vs Jannik Sinner

Novak Djokovic commented on his commanding defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Six Kings Slam semifinals, stating that he tried—at least—to have a longer match, but it became impossible against the Italian's level. The 24-time Grand Slam champion fell defeated to Sinner once again, this time by a resounding 6-4, 6-2 scoreline.

In official matches, Sinner leads the head-to-head 6-4, in what initially appeared to be an even rivalry. However, the Italian has consecutively won the last five official duels—three of them in Grand Slam tournaments. Added to this are the two defeats—albeit in exhibitions—at the Six Kings Slam 2024 and 2025.

"I'm sorry you couldn't see a longer match today, it's his fault, not my fault!” Djokovic joked after the defeat in Riyadh in just one hour and 3 minutes. “I tried to intimidate him (Sinner) in the last game at 0-15, but it didn’t work. He was like a runaway train, smacking the ball from all corners. I was just trying to hang in there, but he was just too good, so well done to him and good luck in the finals."

The current world No. 5 lamented not being able to put up more of a fight against a Sinner who gave him few opportunities. The Italian tallied 10 aces and won 82% of points on his first serve, well above the 60% of service points won by Djokovic (who had two aces). Sinner hit a total of 27 winners compared to only 10 for 'Nole,' while they were equal in unforced errors, with 5 each.

"Excuse my language, but it's never nice when somebody kicks your a** like this on the court," Djokovic said. "But 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, good feeling.”

The 38-year-old star missed the chance to advance to the final of the Six Kings Slam, although he still has the third-place match, where he will face Taylor Fritz—defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the first semifinal.

Both the Spaniard and the Italian have positioned themselves as the rivals Djokovic cannot manage to beat at this stage of his career, and he admitted that age is catching up with him when facing the two best players in the world. "It's been an incredible journey, an amazing career, there's so much to celebrate, but I would like if somebody can trade a younger body with me, that would be nice, just for a year, so I can try to keep winning against these guys."

Djokovic will take the court again on Saturday against Fritz in search of third place for honor. The Serb dominates the official head-to-head in official matches with an overwhelming 11-0, the most recent being in the US Open quarterfinals just two months ago.

Once his participation in the Six Kings Slam is over, Djokovic still has a final couple of confirmed challenges at the Paris Masters and then the Athens Open, a tournament owned by his family that has just moved from Belgrade to Greece amid Djokovic's change of residence. The former No. 1 moved to live in Greece with his family—amid alleged conflicts with the Serbian government—and along with it, the ATP 250 played in Belgrade changed its location to Athens.

This is the only confirmed tournament for Djokovic at the end of the season, as he still remains doubtful about whether he will play the ATP Finals in Turin.