Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Novak Djokovic Injury Update – What Happened to Novak Djokovic Against Taylor Fritz in Six Kings Slam 2025 Third-Place Match

Djokovic retires hurt after grueling first set in Six Kings Slam 2025

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Novak Djokovic’s Six Kings Slam 2025 campaign came to an abrupt end after the Serbian retired midway through his third-place play-off against Taylor Fritz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After a tense first set lasting 76 minutes, which Fritz edged 7-6, Djokovic walked to the umpire and announced he would withdraw from the match. The decision stunned the crowd and commentators, as the 38-year-old appeared to struggle with physical discomfort during the latter stages of the set.

“I want to apologize to everybody. Sorry, guys, I’m sorry you couldn’t see the second set,” Djokovic told the crowd. “But credit to Taylor, I mean, we had some incredible games towards the end of that set, and it was one of the longest sets I’ve ever played, to be honest. It was amazing to be in Riyadh once again.”

Novak Djokovic has retired against Taylor Fritz after losing the first set 7-6.

Following the match, Djokovic said it was "one of the longest sets he ever played." #FritzDjokovic #AlcarazSinner is next up, LIVE now on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/tFCeDphVvH
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) October 18, 2025

Physical Struggles of Nole and Hopeful Return

Djokovic’s retirement came only two days after his straight-sets semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner. Against Fritz, he appeared to pull up with a left leg injury and decided he could not continue in the slow court conditions. “Now it’s rest and really addressing some of the issues I have with my body,” Djokovic said. “I want to thank everybody for really welcoming me here. This is the third time I have been here in three years, and hopefully, if I keep on going next year, I’ll be back, if you guys want me here.”

Novak Djokovic speaks to the crowd about whether we’ll see him play again this year after retiring injured at the Six Kings Slam pic.twitter.com/rDMc5NEWmh
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 18, 2025

The 24-time Grand Slam champion also hinted at a possible return later in the season, potentially in Turin, once he has dealt with his physical problems. “I will address the physical issues I’ve been having and hopefully play the last couple of tournaments of the season,” he told the audience.

To loud applause, Djokovic waved to the fans and walked down the tunnel before Fritz took the microphone. “That was really physical,” Fritz said. “What happens is you get into those really long games, and the ball starts to wear out and get so huge, to the point where it’s so hard to get a free point on the serve, or a winner, so it’s playing the long points and games.”

Taylor Fritz took a brutal opening set against Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam — after which the Serbian was forced to retire injured. pic.twitter.com/h2V322gDHM
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 18, 2025

He added, “It makes everything slower, longer, it’s such a tough set, and at the end of it, conditions just got so slow. We were playing long rallies, back-to-back-to-back, just fighting for every point, so it was brutal.”

Mandatory Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

2025

Novak Djokovic

Six Kings Slam

Rudra Dubey

nfl

mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.