Tennis icon Novak Djokovic left fans stunned and disappointed on Saturday after he was forced to retire from his Six Kings Slam third-place match against Taylor Fritz due to injury.
Djokovic, who appeared to be struggling physically early in the match, tried to push through the pain but eventually called it quits mid-game, drawing mixed emotions from the crowd.
The Serbian tennis star, known for his fierce competitiveness, later apologised to spectators, saying he was “deeply sorry” for not being able to finish the match.
“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.”
Fritz was declared the winner by default, but the night’s focus remained on Djokovic’s condition, sparking fears he could miss upcoming tournaments.
Fans on social media flooded timelines with concern, with many praising Djokovic for his sportsmanship and honesty. Others expressed heartbreak at seeing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in visible discomfort.
The Six Kings Slam event—featuring top global stars—was expected to be Djokovic’s final competitive outing before his next ATP campaign, leaving questions about his readiness for the rest of the season.
