Novak Djokovic breaks protocol after loss to Jannik Sinner in Saudi Arabia

Being the G.O.A.T. comes with its perks.

Novak Djokovic was allowed to break protocol after his crushing 6-4, 6-2 loss to Jannik Sinner in the semifinal of the Six Kings Slam on Thursday, as he addressed the Saudi Arabian crowd despite his defeat.

Traditionally, only winners speak to the crowd at tennis tournaments, except in the finals, where the runner-up congratulates the victor. Taylor Fritz, who lost the other semifinal to Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, was not afforded the opportunity of an on-court interview.

Novak Djokovic apologizes for defeat

The Serb conceded that he couldn't match the level of Sinner, while apologizing to the crowd at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.

"I'm sorry you couldn’t see a longer match today. It’s his fault, not my fault," he said, via Netflix Sports. "...It felt like a runaway train. He was smacking the ball from all corners. I was just trying to hang in there. He was just too good, so well done to him, and good luck in the finals."

With the win, Sinner set up a finals clash against Alcaraz, whom he has faced in five finals this year — U.S. Open, Cincinnati, Wimbledon, Roland-Garros and Rome. While Alcaraz won four of those finals, Sinner was forced to medically retire in Cincinnati and had three match points at the French Open. As such, the battles between the world's best two players were closer than the record suggests. 

Novak Djokovic keeps losing to Jannik Sinner

As for Djokovic, the loss meant a sixth consecutive loss to Sinner, including back-to-back semifinal defeats at this year's Wimbledon and Roland-Garros. However, the loss in Saudi Arabia won't officially count in the record books, as it's an exhibition tournament.

Yet, Djokovic is the first to admit that he's no longer able to keep pace with either Sinner and Alcaraz. After Thursday's loss, he joked that he needs a "younger body" to compete with the two top-ranked stars.

"I'm trying my best. I have the body that I have," he said, via Tennis Letter. "...I would like if someone could trade a younger body with me. Just for a year, so I can try to win against these guys. That would be nice. Jokes aside, I still have the drive."

Djokovic has yet to decide whether to compete in the upcoming ATP Finals, meaning his 2025 season could be over. Tennis fans may not see him in action again until the 2026 Australian Open.