A heartbreaking moment for tennis fans unfolded as Novak Djokovic, the legendary 38-year-old champion, was forced to retire from his Six Kings Slam match against Taylor Fritz due to an injury. This comes after his straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals just days prior.
Djokovic, a 24-time grand slam winner, addressed the crowd with an apology, expressing his disappointment. "Not great, I want to apologize to everyone. Sorry you couldn't witness the second set. It was an epic battle, one of the longest sets I've ever played," he said.
The first set against Fritz was a grueling 75-minute affair, with Djokovic appearing to injure his left leg during the match. Despite his efforts, he couldn't continue, especially with the slow court conditions.
"It was an incredible visit to Riyadh, and I'm grateful for the warm welcome. I hope to return next year if you'll have me," Djokovic added.
But here's where it gets controversial... Djokovic has qualified for the ATP Finals in Turin, which will take place in November, making him the third player to secure a spot. He has also signed up for the ATP 250 tournament in Athens. However, he previously withdrew from the year-end finals last year, despite qualifying for the 18th time, equaling Roger Federer's record.
"Now, it's all about rest and addressing my body's issues. I hope to finish the season strong, but we'll see," Djokovic stated.
Taylor Fritz, on the other hand, expressed the physical toll of the match. "It was brutal. The long games and points made everything slower and longer. We had to fight for every point, and the conditions just added to the challenge," he said.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite Fritz's victory, it was a close call. He had to save set points against Djokovic, who had previously beaten him in all 11 of their previous encounters.
So, what do you think? Is Djokovic's decision to prioritize his health over tournaments a wise one? Or should he push through and honor his commitments? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
