Novak Djokovic returns to action at Six Kings Slam
After reaching the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters last week, Novak Djokovic is scheduled to return to action at the Six Kings Slam, with the 38-year-old receiving a bye into the semi-finals.
Djokovic struggled physically throughout the week in Shanghai and was stunned by World No 204 and eventual champion Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this season only to lose to either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, will be determined to prove himself against his young rivals this week.
But his fitness will be a concern after his struggles with the heat and humidity in Shanghai, where his body proved to be the difference at the business end of the tournament.
Djokovic, seen chatting with Stefanos Tsitsipas, will play Jannik Sinner on Thursday (Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 04:19
How the Six Kings Slam prize money compares to grand slam tournaments
The Six Kings Slam champion will win a reported $6m (£4.5m) in prize money this week. That makes the exhibition the biggest prize in tennis, and above the four grand slams. Carlos Alcaraz recently took home $5m by winning the US Open, but the Six Kings Slam champion will take home more.
Six Kings Slam: $6m (£4.5m)
French Open: $2.9m (£2.17m)
Australian Open: $2.3m (£1.75m)
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 02:19
Carlos Alcaraz admits ankle injury is not ‘100 per cent’
Carlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle is still not “100 per cent” as he prepares for his first match at the Six Kings Slam.
The 22-year-old has not played since winning the Japan Open title and skipped the Shanghai Masters because of the ankle injury he picked up in his opening match in Tokyo.
“Everything’s OK. I’ve been recovering the ankle as much and as good as I can,” Alcaraz told PA, admitting it hasn’t fully healed.
“I don’t feel, I would say, 100 per cent, the doubts are there thinking about it a little bit when I’m moving on court.
“But I think it improved a lot and I’m going to compete and perform well here in the Six Kings Slam.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 00:20
Jannik Sinner questions ‘very unusual’ Six Kings Slam court surface
annik Sinner said he will need to adapt to the “unusual” court at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia as he prepares for another showdown with Novak Djokovic.
Sinner raced to a 6-2 6-3 opening victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion’s first match since retiring from the Shanghai Open earlier this month.
The Italian had few problems beating Tsitsipas as he repeatedly targeted the Greek’s one-handed backhand with vicious blows from his forehand.
But he said the court at the ANB Arena was temperamental, with the surface giving an extremely high and wide bounce on some kick-serves while being flat and slow during other rallies.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 23:19
Zverev makes mockery of Six Kings prize money in one-sided defeat
Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz raced through to the semi-finals as the opening day of the Six Kings Slam exhibition fell flat in Saudi Arabia. Sinner thrashed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 to book a semi-final with Novak Djokovic after Fritz required just 59 minutes to beat Alexander Zverev and set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday.
Both Tsitsipas and Zverev will head home from the six-player exhibition having received a reported $1.5m for turning up. The overall champion will win an additional $4.5, making the three-day event the biggest prize fund of the tennis season. Zverev earned roughly $250,000 more for his 59-minute defeat to Fritz than he did for finishing runner-up at the Australian Open in January, at a rate of around $25,000 per minute.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 22:19
Jannik Sinner on ‘huge honour’ of playing Novak Djokovic
“It’s a huge honour to play again, against a legend like Novak. We need rivalries in the sport. It’s great to have him still here playing in the highest level of our sport. He’s a great role model, you know, also because you look up to these guys. He’s still hungry to win big titles and and that’s why he still keeps playing. Hopefully it’s going to be interesting tomorrow.”
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 21:59
Jannik Sinner on the ‘unusual court’ at Six Kings Slam
“It’s a very unusual indoor court. It is a very interesting situation we have to deal with here on the court because it’s quite bouncy, with new balls it’s quite fast and it slows down with with used balls.”
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 21:39
Jannik Sinner reflects on win over Stefanos Tsitsipas
Jannik Sinner had a 3-6 record against Stefanos Tsitsipas before today but was utterly emphatic in defeating the Greek 6-2 6-3.
“We played already many times, of course. By the time we become better players and we know each other’s game a little bit more, so I knew a little bit also tactically how to prepare for the match,.
“I just tried to stay quite aggressive, especially on the return games. I felt like I was serving very well in the important moments.”
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 21:19
Jannik Sinner looks ahead to facing Novak Djokovic
“We all hope that it’s a good match. Of course, we know each other very well now. We played many, many times, so it’s great to share the court again with Novak, especially here in front of you guys. We just try to play the best possible tennis we can. But mostly we are here to enjoy.”
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 21:01
Jannik Sinner looks to extend streak against Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner has won his last six matches against Novak Djokovic – not including last year’s Six Kings Slam semi-final, which doesn’t count towards official head-to-head records.
Sinner has also won seven of his last eight competitive matches with Djokovic since losing to him in the 2023 Wimbledon semi-finals. They have met twice so far this season, with Sinner winning in the French Open semi-finals and Wimbledon semi-finals.
They will play again tomorrow in the Six Kings semi-finals.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 20:47