Djokovic Reflects on Frustrating 2025 Season After Sinner Loss in Saudi Arabia

Novak Djokovic acknowledged a challenging 2025 season following his defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh yesterday, despite reaching the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

The 24-time major champion, currently ranked third in the ‘Race to Turin’, admitted the evolving landscape of men’s tennis presents a new hurdle. “Look, you know, I always try to improve, as does pretty much anybody that is playing on the highest level,” Djokovic said in a post-match press conference. “You always look to be better than what you were yesterday or last week. I know that things are a bit different for me now in terms of the level of tennis and my body. It’s not like when I was at my peak. I know that.” This comes as younger players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz increasingly dominate the sport.

Djokovic has fallen to either Alcaraz or Sinner at three of the four Grand Slams this year – the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open – signaling a shift in the competitive balance. He conceded that Sinner and Alcaraz are currently “a few levels above all of us,” but remains determined to close the gap. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic recently secured his 100th tour-level title at the Geneva Open in May, a milestone achieved by only two other players in history. You can find more information about the ATP rankings here.

Looking ahead, Djokovic plans to compete in the ATP 250 event in Athens, the Hellenic Championship, beginning November 2nd. He stated he will decide soon whether to participate in the ATP Finals in Turin, adding that he no longer makes long-term plans. The ATP Finals are a crucial event determining the year-end number one ranking, as detailed on the official ATP Finals website.

Djokovic will assess his condition and form before committing to the year-end championships, emphasizing a need to balance ambition with physical realities.