Novak Djokovic admitted Jannik Sinner “kicked my ass” after a heavy defeat to the World No 2 in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Sinner had won his last six competitive matches against the 24-time grand slam champion, including straight-sets victories in the semi-finals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season.
The 38-year-old Djokovic said Sinner and World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz were “too good” over best-of-five sets following his semi-final defeat to Alcaraz at last month’s US Open.
But Djokovic fared no better over the shorter format in Riyadh, as Sinner produced a masterclass of serving to thrash the Serbian 6-4 6-2 and set up another final against Alcaraz on Saturday.
Djokovic has accepted that Alcaraz and Sinner, who have won the last eight grand slam titles between them, are a level above what he can produce at the age of 38 but said that he would keep trying to find a way to beat them.
“Excuse my language, but it’s never nice when somebody kicks your ass like this on the court,” Djokovic told the crowd with a laugh, during a rare on-court interview involving the losing player.
“But it’s definitely is amazing that I’m still being able to play at a high level, being top-10, top-5. It’s a good good feeling. I’m trying my best. I have the body that I have, I’m grateful for everything that the God has granted me in my life.
“It’s been an incredible journey, an amazing career, there’s so much to celebrate, but I would like it 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.
“Jokes aside, I still have the drive. Obviously I know that it’s it’s becoming much more difficult for me to to get a win against Jannik and Carlos particularly. I’m gonna still keep on challenging them and until it happens, let’s see.”
Djokovic will return on Saturday for the third-placed match against Taylor Fritz and said the defeat was still “worth it, because the love for the game and the passion for tennis”.
He added to the crowd: “I’m sorry you couldn’t see a longer match today, it’s his fault, not my fault! I tried to intimidate him a little bit at that last game with the 0-15 point, but it didn’t work.
“Look, it felt like a runaway train. He was 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.”
It was then Sinner’s turn to address the crowd, with the 24-year-old starting off by saying: “You know, I think he said everything, no?
“He’s such a great role model for especially us, the younger generation. Seeing him competing, seeing him practice and training for these moments.
“It’s amazing. What he has achieved in his career, it’s incredible and you know I see him as a real idol. To play against him is such a huge honour and and privilege. Obviously I’m happy about today, but I’m also happy to see him around.”
Sinner produced a near-perfect display, firing 27 winner to just five unforced errors, and dropping just eight points on serve throughout the match. The Italian was particularly pleased with his improvements on serve since the US Open.
“Yes, I do feel that way,” Sinner said when asked if it was one of the best serving performances.
“I wish it would be every, every time like this, but no we try to, to work on things, we try to get better as a player,” Sinner continued. “You have days where certain or particular things work very well, so obviously today the serve worked really, really well. We all try to improve, so let’s see.
“We worked a lot in the past month, we’re serving hours and hours. But if this is the result, I’m very happy.”
After competing against each other in the finals of Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open this season, Saturday’s Six Kings Slam exhibition will mark the latest meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz.
Sinner triumphed over Alcaraz in last year’s Six Kings final, and will be out to defend the $6m overall prize, but Alcaraz has had the upper hand in their recent head-to-head.
The World No 1 defeated Sinner in last month’s US Open final to avenge his loss in the Wimbledon final, and has won seven of their last eight official matches on tour.
