Six Kings Slam live: Sinner takes down Alcaraz to win $6m final after shock Djokovic retirement
Sinner produced a masterclass as he dominated his rival 6-2 6-4 to win the Six Kings Slam exhibition for a second time
A flawless Jannik Sinner defeated his rival Carlos Alcaraz to win the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, and take home the overall $6m prize in the biggest single payday of the tennis season.
Although the Six Kings Slam is an exhibition and won’t count towards rankings or head-to-head records, Sinner was out for revenge after his heavy defeat in the US Open final last month.
The Italian’s victory over Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final remains his only win against the Spaniard in their last eight official meetings, but his improved serve sent a serious statement to the World No 1 as he recorded a dominant 6-2 6-4 victory.
Earlier, Novak Djokovic retired from his third-place match against Taylor Fritz after losing a 75-minute first set to the American, with the rest of the 38-year-old’s season now in doubt as a result of his latest physical issue.
Novak Djokovic 'hoping to play last couple of tournaments of the season'
Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s record by qualifying for the year-end finals for the 18th time, but he took the decision to withdraw from the tournament last year.
“Now it's rest and really addressing some of the issues I have with my body,” Djokovic said after retiring from the Six Kings Slam. “Then hopefully playing the last couple of tournaments of the season, let's see.”
Novak Djokovic explains retirement after picking up injury in ‘brutal’ Six Kings Slam match
Novak Djokovic apologised to the crowd after retiring from his Six Kings Slam third-place match against Taylor Fritz due to an injury.
“Not great, I want to apologise to everybody,” Djokovic said as he spoke to the crowd before leaving the court. “Sorry guys. Sorry you couldn’t see the second set. It was one of the longest sets I’ve played.
“Credit to Taylor. We had some incredible games towards the end of that set, and it's one of the longest sets I've ever played, to be honest.
“It was an amazing visit to Riyadh for me once again. I want to thank everybody for really welcoming me. Hopefully if I keep on going next year, I'll be back if you guys want me here.”
Djokovic is signed up to play in the ATP 250 tournament in Athens, and on Saturday become the third player to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, which will be played in November.
What's next for Jannik Sinner?
Jannik Sinner is signed up for the Vienna Open, which gets underway on Monday. Will he play in the Paris Masters too, before the ATP Finals - probably his most important remaining tournament as he returns to Italy?
Sinner will also look to lead Italy’s defence of the Davis Cup title, where his country could face Carlos Alcaraz’s Spain in the final after they landed on opposite sides of the draw.
What's next for Carlos Alcaraz?
The World No 1 is targeting titles at the Paris Masters and ATP Tour Finals, two tournaments he has yet to win.
Alcaraz is looking pretty fresh heading into the final weeks of the season - which hasn’t always been the case.
He always has the year-end ranking pretty much wrapped up. Can he add a ninth, or tenth, title of the season?
Carlos Alcaraz now has 'extra motivation' for rest of the season
“When Jannik is playing at this level, it’s always difficult. I think everybody could enjoy his tennis today. It was really high level of tennis,” Alcaraz said.
“Sometimes it seems like he's playing ping pong, so it's not funny, to be honest, being at the other side of the net but I always said that.
“When he plays such great tennis, it gives me motivation just to then go to the practice court, give him 100 per cent, try to be better. Sometimes he's annoying, but at the same time he gives me extra motivations.
Will Jannik Sinner be favourite ahead of ATP Finals?
Jannik Sinner had just one win from his previous eight official matches against Carlos Alcaraz but this 6-2 6-4 win is a little reminder that their head-to-head is not as one-sided as it may sometimes appear. He needed this.
And is Sinner now the favourite as we enter the run going into the ATP Finals? The defending ATP Finals champion will be back in front of his home fans in Turin, with similar conditions at altitude than Riyadh.
“This year it’s going to be impossible [to finish No 1], but at the same time for me, especially at the end of the year, it’s very important. I’m very lucky because the [ATP Finals] in Italy, this gives me a lot of energy with my home people. And I love [playing] indoors and I really enjoy these kind of scenarios.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on their 'special friendship'
Alcaraz said: “We have a special friendship off the court, which is great. Sometimes people think when two tennis players are competing for the great things, are giving their best on the court, they cannot have a great friendship. I think we show it's possible as well.”
Sinner said: “I lost also many times against Carlos, it’s a huge pleasure and an honour to share the court with him, but at the same time, you want to get better as a tennis player. It's nice to have a great rivalry and also, more importantly, a great friendship off the court, and we have a very, very special, special friendship.”
The moment between Sinner and Alcaraz at the net is worth watching. A big hug, an arm around the other. Rivals yes, but plenty of respect too as ever.
Jannik Sinner praises Carlos Alcaraz for 'incredible year'
The victory sets up Jannik Sinner to make a push towards the year-end ATP Finals, where he may also benefit from the altitude and indoor conditions in front of his home fans in Turin.
“It's always nice to share the court with Carlos,” Sinner said. “You’ve done an incredible job throughout the whole season, working very hard, winning incredible titles, title after title. So thanks actually for leaving one also for me at the moment!”
Alcaraz has won eight titles on the ATP Tour this season, to Sinner’s three, and the Italian conceded that it would be “impossible” to catch him in the race for year-end No 1.
Carlos Alcaraz on Jannik Sinner: 'He was playing ping pong'
While Sinner’s win over Alcaraz won’t count towards the rankings race or their head-to-head record, the Italian had just one victory over the six-time grand slam champion in his previous eight attempts. This was his second win over Alcaraz in the final of the Six Kings Slam, however, adding to last year’s triumph.
“When Jannik is playing at this level, it’s always difficult. I think everybody could enjoy his tennis today,” Alcaraz said. “It was really high level of tennis. Sometimes it seems like he's playing ping pong. It's not funny, to be honest, being at the other side of the net.
“But I always said that. When he plays such great tennis, it gives me motivation just to then go to the practice court, give him 100 per cent, try to be better. Sometimes he's annoying, but at the same time he gives me extra motivation.”
Carlos Alcaraz impressed by Jannik Sinner's improved serve
“He played great today. He didn't let me get a good rhythm,” Alcaraz said after Sinner won over 80 per cent of his service points.
“He was improving a lot, the serve, and I could feel it. No break points today, which for me is something weird. I’m used to at least one break point in the match. But when he's serving really good it's really difficult. I couldn't find a solution today, so I think he deserved it.”
Sinner also won over 80 per cent of his service points in his 6-2 6-4 win over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, and said after that match: “We worked a lot in the past month, we're serving hours and hours.”
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