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  • Tennis star reveals ‘vile’ death he has been dealing with in a startling interview

    High-profile personalities are forced to deal with huge challenges in a world that gives everyone a platform to reach out to them via social media platforms and tennis star Holger Rune has revealed that he and his family has been subjected to vile death threats.

    The Danish star shot to prominence when he won his first ATP 100 tournament in Paris back in 2022, as he emerged as a new star on the men’s tour.

    His rise has been stunted by the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, yet that has not diluted the spotlight on Rune, especially in his Danish homeland.

    Now Rune has told SpilXperten that he tries top avoid the hate, in comments that will cause a real stir.

    “I try not to read that kind of stuff because it’s just pretty vile, but there are a lot of death threats both to me and my family,” said Rune.

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    “I just think it’s wild that there are people who can even think of writing something like that.

    “It’s a huge problem for the sport, but you shouldn’t listen to them, because you should never take that kind of thing or advice from your ‘haters’ or people who aren’t doing better than you, and they clearly aren’t.

    “You get used to it. You get used to not letting it get to you, but I think we’ve reported it to the police once or twice when it’s gone too far, but otherwise, you just move on.

    “I don’t know if the tournaments can do anything about it. I think the French Open at one point had a system where you could report it, but I’m really not sure what the solution is.”

    Rune also suggested that the attention he gets in his Danish homeland as their biggest tennis name adds to the pressure he feels, he suggested that the negative media coverage he deals with is due to the prominent position he has created.

    “Unfortunately, we are in a country like Denmark, where we don’t have that many athletes, and then they like to go after the best athlete and everything he does,” he added.

    “In a way, I have to be a bit careful with what I do, but on the other hand, I’m just being myself, and I intend to keep being that.

    “If being willing to win and having an edge makes me a ‘bad boy’, then sure. I just don’t see it that way. I see myself as a player who really wants to win. I’m willing to do what it takes, and I’d rather let out some frustration than not win the match.

    “Emotions are good to have, and I think we all watch tennis for the emotions, and if you’re going to really get interested in a person, it’s important that they show who they truly are. I don’t think anyone likes to watch a blank piece of paper. I certainly don’t. It’s important to show how you feel.”

    READ NEXT: Holger Rune crossed the line with explicit tirade at his mother and team in shock Shanghai loss

    The post Tennis star reveals ‘vile’ death he has been dealing with in a startling interview appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Tim Henman reveals why his admiration for Carlos Alcaraz has gone to the next level

    Tim Henman has told Tennis365 that Carlos Alcaraz can already be classed alongside the all-time greats of tennis, as he revealed his admiration of the young Spaniard went to the next level when he worked closely with him at last month’s Laver Cup.

    After winning the US Open in thrilling fashion in New York, Alcaraz played at the Laver Cup event in San Francisco, where he linked up with Team Europe vice-captain Henman.

    The former British No 1 got a chance to see Alcaraz preparing for matches and he told Tennis365 at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia that the six-time Grand Slam champion was an immaculate professional.

    “I spent some time with him at the Laver Cup and I could not have been more impressed with him not only as a player but as a person,” Henman told Tennis365.

    “His attitude, his energy, his values on and off the court were absolutely first class. He has really up his level.

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    “You look at the way Alcaraz’s game has developed and it’s absolutely phenomenal.”

    Henman went on to suggest the stunning achievements of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as they re-wrote the tennis history books has changed the dimensions of how to gauge success, as he argues Alcaraz has already joined the greats after winning six Grand Slam at the age of 22.

    Alcaraz’s great rival Jannik Sinner is also in Grand Slam-chasing mood after winning four of the biggest tournaments in the sport over the last few years, with Henman suggesting the remarkable success of the ‘Big 3’ in Grand Slam tournaments has set unrealistic targets for those following them.

    “I think, in some respects, what Federer, Nadal and Djokovic did winning 20, 22 and 24 (Grand Slams), it’s almost made it disproportionate for these other players,” he continued.

    “You think in the context of (Stefan) Edberg, (Boris) Becker, (John) McEnroe and (Mats) Wilander, (Jimmy) Connors, they are greats of the game.

    “Then you have Alcaraz who is already at six (Slams) at such a young age and people are asking, will he go on to get 20. At this stage, it’s almost unfair.

    “Certainly, when I was playing and Pete Sampras got to 14 Slams, I would have bet my bottom dollar that no one would get past 14. Three of them did it and we will see how many Alcaraz and Sinner will get.”

    Henman was speaking to Tennis365 at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, with the exhibition event set to pay out the biggest prize money cheque of the year to the winner of the invite-only event on Saturday.

    The tournament has been criticised by some observers as a money-driven addition to the tennis calendar, with Henman admitting the crowded schedule makes it tough to fit in events like this.

    “When you see the delivery of this event, the stadium and everything that goes with it, it is amazing,” he added.

    “We have the top five players in the world here and when the best play the best, it’s always going to grab people’s attention.

    “In the bigger picture, it’s going to be a challenge with the calendar. If I could change one thing, it would be to free up the calendar. The 12-day Masters events are too long. Players are in tournament mode too much.

    “If you are able to shorten the season and play until teh end of October, it gives players are opportunity to rest and prepare and take advantage of the opportunities out there.”

    READ NEXT: Taylor Fritz reveals why he feels he has closed the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in honest interview

    The post Tim Henman reveals why his admiration for Carlos Alcaraz has gone to the next level appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Novak Djokovic issues defiant retirement vow as he claims tennis ‘will be transformed’

    Novak Djokovic has issued his most defiant comment yet over his future in the sport, as he served up a compelling series of statements as he appeared alongside basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and UFC chief Dana White at the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia.

    Djokovic spoke passionately about his upbringing in Serbia and his desire to improve the tennis landscape, as he suggested there are developments under discussion that could transform the sport of tennis.

    When he was asked about whether he was considering retirement from the sport, Djokovic spoke at length about his desire to remain involved and his fiery comments are certain to raise plenty of eyebrows.

    Saudi Arabian money has had a big impact in boxing, golf and football in recent years, with this week’s Six Kings Slam event in Riyadh a foray into tennis for the Arabic nation.

    There have been suggestions that they could look to expand their move into tennis with the potential for more events in the Kingdom and Djokovic has vowed to be a part of that.

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    “Longevity is one of my biggest motivations and I really want to see how far I can go,” said Djokovic.

    “You see across all the global sports, you know, LeBron James is still going strong. Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40. I want to keep going.

    “I also want to live, I mean keep on playing professionally, to see the change that is coming for our sport and I’m super excited about it.

    “The things that are happening that I can’t openly speak about at the moment, but I feel like in the next couple of years, I feel like tennis is a sport that can be and will be transformed.

    “I want to be part of that change and not just part of that change, but I want to be playing when we rejuvenate our sport and set the platform that is going to be there for decades to come.”

    He was then asked directly about retirement and he added: “It’s not happening. I’m sorry to disappoint them. It’s just not happening.”

    World No 4 Taylor Fritz spoke to Tennis365 about the debate over Djokovic’s future as he plays in this week’s Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia and he echoed the sentiments of the 24-time Grand Slam champion when he told us the 38-year-old who beat him in this year’s US Open quarter-finals is still a big threat at the top level.

    “He hasn’t really shown too many signs of slowing down,” stated Fritz when we asked him about Djokovic. “He obviously has had a great year, semis at every Grand Slam.

    “It’s tough to even think about him retiring or being done soon when he is producing the level he is producing.”

    Djokovic has confirmed he will play in an ATP Tour event in Athens, but has yet to clarify whether he will compete in the ATP Finals in Turin, after he missed that tournament last year.

    READ NEXT: Why Novak Djokovic may miss the ATP Finals as big schedule move confirmed

    The post Novak Djokovic issues defiant retirement vow as he claims tennis ‘will be transformed’ appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Emma Raducanu’s big call will hit her ranking – but she has bigger questions to answer

    Emma Raducanu has called time on her 2025 season, with the final chapter over the last month leaving so many questions as she looks ahead to what could be a defining year in her career.

    Raducanu has confirmed that she will not play again this year after a challenging few weeks in Asia that served up some worrying narratives.

    This decision will have an impact on her ranking, with her stated aim of securing a seeded position for the Australian Open dented by this decision to end her season early.

    She is currently at No 29 in the live rankings and could slip out of the top 30 if some of her nearest rivals finish the season on a high.

    Yet Raducanu will have a chance to target fresh ranking points at the start of 2026, which could boost her hopes of a lofty seeding for the Australian Open, which gets underway in mid-January.

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    The British No 1 had entered the next week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and then the Hong Kong Open beginning on October 27, but has instead decided to focus on recovery after 10 days when she has been troubled by illness.

    Raducanu was forced to quit in her match against Ann Li at the Wuhan Open last week due to dizziness in sweltering temperatures and was treated by doctors after that match.

    She then decided to play at the Ningbo Open this week, but was a long way from her best against qualifier Zhu Lin and received medical treatment on court before losing in three sets.

    Given that backdrop, it is no surprise to see the news that Raducanu has opted to take a break from tennis, but she will do so with some concerns over the events of the last month.

    Raducanu spoke to Tennis365 ahead of her opening match at the Wuhan Open and she gave no hint at that point that she was suffering from any physical issues.

    A day later, she was struck down by fatigue in what were sweltering conditions and it is clear that she has not found a solution to that problem after confirming she is calling time on her 2025 campaign.

    Injuries and illness have been part of the Raducanu story since her remarkable 2021 US Open win, with the four years since that triumph in New York a rollercoaster ride for an athlete who was thrust into the brightest of spotlights.

    Staying fit and healthy is as big a challenge for Raducanu looking ahead to next year, as she has struggled to build momentum in her career due to the staggered nature of her story, but the overall picture as she looks back on this season should still be positive.

    Raducanu has proved she can compete with the best in women’s tennis after two titanic battles against Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and at the Cincinnati Open.

    She has surged up the rankings and will finish the season as British No 1, but those positives are counteracted by some negatives.

    Defeats against Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula would have stung over the last month, as she had three match points in both of those matches and failed to convert when big wins were there for the taking.

    Those moments of what might have been provided a snapshot of Raducanu’s season, as she has knocked on the door and not quite managed to find a way through.

    Yet she heads into 2026 with fresh hope and stability in her camp after it was confirmed she will continue to work with coach Francisco Roig, after a positive start to their working relationship over the last few months.

    As always with Raducanu, expectations can outweigh the expectations, but she is on course to end the year in the top 30 of the rankings and if fitness can be combined with momentum on the court in the new year, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in 2026.

    READ NEXT: A look at Emma Raducanu’s mixed 2025 season: A year of progress, pain and a coaching boost

    The post Emma Raducanu’s big call will hit her ranking – but she has bigger questions to answer appeared first on Tennis365.

  • A look at Emma Raducanu’s mixed 2025 season: A year of progress, pain and a coaching boost

    There is good news and bad news out of the Emma Raducanu camp as she has decided to end her coaching merry-go-round, but it’s not a positive update in terms of her schedule for the rest of 2025.

    Raducanu has gone through multiple coaches since making her breakthrough in 2021, but seems to have found some stability with Francisco Roig as she started working with the Spaniard in August before confirming he would stay with the team until the end of the year.

    And Roig – who was part of Rafael Nadal’s set-up for nearly two decades with the tennis great winning 22 Grand Slams during their time together – has clearly made a big impression as Raducanu has returned to the top 30 of the WTA Rankings.

    The 57-year-old will now also be part of the Raducanu team in 2026 as the British No 1 has agreed a contract extension with him.

    It is a change in approach from Raducanu as she had worked with eight different coaches since 2021 before appointing Roig.

    2025 Season Done

    But their work on the 2025 WTA Tour season is done as Raducanu won’t play another competitive match this year as she has decided to end her campaign early following her recent health issues.

    The 22-year-old struggled throughout the Asia swing, but it was at the Wuhan Open where it became obvious that she had major problems as she not only received medical treatment on court, but also had to spend time in hospital after her exit from the tournament.

    Despite concerns over her health, Raducanu entered the Ningbo Open but she again took a medical timeout during her first-round match as her vitals were checked while she also battled with a lower back problem. She went on to lose the match against world No 230 Zhu Lin.

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    Raducanu’s team have now confirmed she has been sick for the last 10 days.

    The Pan Pacicific Open and Hong Kong Open were the two tournaments remaining on her calendar for this year, but she has now pulled out of both events in order to recover fully.

    Raducanu’s 2025 Season

    The former world No 10 ends her year with a win-loss record of 28-22 (56%) as her search for a second top-level title after her 2021 US Open run continues.

    This year she played in 22 events – the most since she turned professional with her previous best 18 in 2021 – and reached one semi-final [The Citi DC Open in July] and two quarter-finals [Miami Open in March and Queen’s Club in June].

    Raducanu had one top-10 win this campaign and that was against Emma Navarro during her run at the WTA 1000 Miami event while she also beat the likes of Naomi Osaka and Anisimova and came close to upsetting Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open.

    There have also been some big losses against Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and French Open, and against Coco Gauff at the Italian Masters.

    But having started the year at No 60, it was no doubt a year of progress as she edged closer to be being seeded at the 2026 Australian Open.

    The post A look at Emma Raducanu’s mixed 2025 season: A year of progress, pain and a coaching boost appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Taylor Fritz reveals why he feels he has closed the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in honest interview

    Taylor Fritz has told Tennis365 that he believes he is closing the gap on Carlos Alcaraz after his stunning win against the Spaniard at the Laver Cup, as he predicted 2026 could be the year that sees him claim a first Grand Slam title.

    Speaking exclusively to this website at the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia, the world No 4 reflected on a solid year of form that saw him cement his position among the elite names at the top of the men’s game, yet the Grand Slam title he craves is still proving to be elusive as Alcaraz and his big rival Jannik Sinner continue to dominate in the sport’s biggest events.

    Fritz is leading the chasing pack aiming to end Alcaraz and Sinner’s run of Grand Slam wins and he believes his time could come soon.

    After an impressive win against Alcaraz in the Laver Cup last month, Fritz also pushed the Spaniard all the way as they met in the ATP 500 final in Tokyo and he has taken confidence from those matches.

    “Whether it is beating somebody or get to a certain point in a tournament, when you do something once, it feels a lot easier to do again and again,” Fritz told Tennis365.

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    “It definitely helps (to get the win against Alcaraz). I played a great match and it gives me a clear outline, I guess, of what I need to do and what I can do to make it work.

    “They are two incredible players (Sinner and Alcaraz). They push me to keep improving and become a better player to try and compete with them.

    “When I played Carlos at the Laver Cup in the previous year, he played well and just felt like there was nothing I could do. I had no chance.

    “This year at the Laver Cup and in the finals in Tokyo, I felt like the level was much closer and I feel like I have got a lot closer.”

    Fritz struggled in the opening half of 2025, but he loaded back to form in recent weeks and is ending the year convinced his first Grand Slam title is closer than ever.

    “If you look back to where I was half way through the season when we finished on the clay courts, to be where I am now I would have taken it,” he added. “I was having a rough year. Not playing my best, sometimes injured. The second half of the year was great.

    “I feel like the Grand Slam can come at any time. It’s just about things aligning for those two weeks. The level is there for me when I play my best tennis. It just needs to fall into place over two weeks.”

    HOW TO WATCH THE SIX KINGS SLAM

    Netflix will broadcast live the Six Kings Slam, the highly anticipated tennis event from Riyadh Season that brings together six of the best players on the ATP circuit.

    All matches will begin at 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET / 5:30pm BST / 6:30pm CET.

    Quarterfinals – Wednesday, October 15

    Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

    Alexander Zverev (GER) vs Taylor Fritz (USA)

    Semifinals – Thursday, October 16

    Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs Zverev (GER) or Fritz (USA)

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Sinner (ITA) or Tsitsipas (GRE)

    Final / Third-Place match – Saturday, October 18

    Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2

    Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2

    READ NEXT: Every injury Novak Djokovic has suffered since start of 2024 revealed after Shanghai struggles

    The post Taylor Fritz reveals why he feels he has closed the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in honest interview appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Carlos Alcaraz asserts exhibition critics ‘don’t understand’ ahead of Six Kings Slam

    Carlos Alcaraz has responded to those who have criticised players for playing exhibitions while also voicing complaints about the tennis schedule.

    The world No 1 has expressed concerns about the demands of the tennis season several times, arguing that the calendar does not allow players to have enough rest.

    The six-time Grand Slam champion is also one of many stars who has criticised the expanded 12-day Masters 1000 format.

    Iga Swiatek recently labelled the schedule “crazy” and “overwhelming” and argued that there are too many mandatory tournaments.

    During the Japan Open last month, Alcaraz backed Swiatek when asked about the Pole’s comments.

    “I agree with Iga,” Alcaraz said. “I think that the schedule is really tight. They have to do something with the schedule. I think there are too many mandatory tournaments, too many in a row.”

    Alcaraz’s stance has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, with some in the tennis world pointing out that the 22-year-old frequently appears at exhibition events.

    One such exhibition is the highly-lucrative Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, where Alcaraz is competing with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas for a $6million total prize pot.

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    Speaking ahead of the Six Kings Slam, Alcaraz asserted that the criticism he has faced does not make sense as exhibitions are less demanding than official tour events.

    “I think it’s a discussion that a lot of players and a lot of people are talking about with the calendar,” the Spaniard told the PA news agency.

    “How tight it is with a lot of tournaments and the tournaments of two weeks, and then making some, I’m going to say, excuses with exhibitions, how players are complaining about the calendar and then playing some exhibitions.

    “All I can say is it’s a really different format, different situation playing exhibitions than the official tournaments, having 15, 16 days in row, having such a high focus and demanding physically.

    “That’s why, because we’re just having fun for one or two days and playing some tennis, and I think that’s great, and I think that’s why we choose sometimes the exhibitions.

    “Obviously I understand [the criticism], but sometimes the people don’t understand us, our opinions.

    “When I see a lot of people complaining about how we are defending the exhibitions, I don’t understand them because, as I said, it’s not really demanding mentally [compared to] when we’re having such long events like two weeks or two-and-a-half weeks. It’s really tough.”

    READ NEXT: Paris Masters chief addresses if Alcaraz, Sinner & Djokovic will play the event amid doubts

    The post Carlos Alcaraz asserts exhibition critics ‘don’t understand’ ahead of Six Kings Slam appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Six Kings Slam injury list as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic struggle

    The 2025 edition of the lucrative Six Kings Slam is about to get underway, but all six players competing in Riyadh have had some form of injury in recent weeks while a few have struggled with form as well.

    Jannik Sinner will return to defend his title and he will be joined by world No 1 and six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, tennis great and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, world No 3 Alexander Zverev, No 4 Taylor Fritz and No 24 Stefanos Tsitsipas.

    There will be a lot of money on the line at the exhibition event in Saudi Arabia as all six participants are guaranteed to an appearance fee of $1.5 million while the winner will earn an additional of $4.5m for a total $6m, which is the biggest payday in tennis.

    All six players have had a niggle, injury or health issues in recent weeks but, unsurprisingly, they were determined to compete by hook or by crook as the money that cheque is just too big to turn down.

    So let’s look at the participants’ recent injury issues.

    Carlos Alcaraz

    The 22-year-old, who will be the top seed at the Six Kings Slam, twisted his ankle during his opening match at the Japan Open at the start of October, but managed to finish the clash and went on to win another four matches to win the ATP 500 tournament.

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    Alcaraz was then set to take part in the Shanghai Masters, but withdrew from the ATP 1000 event with coach later confirming he suffered a grade two ankle strain.

    “We were able to control it, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, and he was able to hold out through the tournament with a grade two sprain, and had a lot of treatment every day,” Samuel Lopez said.

    After taking time out, the Spaniard has been declared fit for the exhibition event although he was seen practicing with a heavily strapped ankle.

    Novak Djokovic

    Second seed Djokovic had all sorts of problems in Shanghai as he struggled with injury and physically in the hot and humid conditions.

    Playing in his first tournament since the US Open, the 38-year-old vomitted during his matches against Yannick Hanfmann Jaume Munar, struggled with a leg problem when he faced Zizou Bergs in the quarter-final and also required medical treatment on his left glute and stifness during his semi-final defeat to Valentin Vacherot.

    Let’s not forget he also played with a strapped shoulder most of the tournament.

    Jannik Sinner

    The heat in Shanghai did a number on several players and Sinner’s title defence came to an end very early on as he retired from his round of 32 match against Tallon Griekspoor midway through the deciding set.

    Sinner received treatment on his right thigh early in the third set, although he decided to continue he struggled physically and at times he could barely run.

    He threw in the towel after five games with cramps given as the official reason for his retirement.

    In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Sinner stated: “I think they were due to a mental factor. I talked with my team — from that point of view I wasn’t perfect, but now everything’s fine.

    “The mistake was mine: the heat and humidity got me down. You learn from these things — cramps can happen, and I was one of many to suffer from them.”

    Alexander Zverev

    The 2025 Australian Open runner-up has struggled with back issues for most of the year and his form has been shocking in recent months.

    Zverev, whose only title this year was back in April, lost in the third round of the US Open, the quarter-final of the China Open and the round of 32 at the Shanghai Masters.

    After being dumped out by Arthur Rinderknech in Shanghai, he said: “The year has been physically difficult. The last time I played without pain was at the Australian Open… My year has been terrible. I have no confidence in myself, I don’t believe in my shots. I’m playing horrible tennis.”

    Taylor Fritz

    World No 4 Fritz perhaps has the cleanest bill of health, although he is not without issues, as he did have a thigh problem during his run to the final of the Japan Open, while he also had some ankle discomfort recently.

    Stefanos Tsitsipas

    The Greek replaced the injured Jack Draper in the line-up, but he is in the same boat as Zverev as he has also struggled with his back and his form has also been poor.

    Tsitsipas has not played since losing in the second round of the US Open and Greek media reported that he underwent a small procedure on his back, but the man himself put out a press release to say that had not been the case and he is “doing well”.

    However, he still missed the China Open and Shanghai Masters and will now make his return to semi-competitive tennis at the Six Kings Slam.

    The post Six Kings Slam injury list as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic struggle appeared first on Tennis365.

  • WATCH – Taylor Fritz talks to Tennis365 as he gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s future

    Taylor Fritz has insisted there is no reason for Novak Djokovic to consider walking away from tennis, after suggesting the doubters who suggest his winning days are over are wide of the mark.

    Fritz got a first hand glimpse of the levels Djokovic can still produce at the age of 38 when the Serbian legend ended his run at the US Open in a compelling quarter-final last month.

    Djokovic went on to lose against Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals and admitted he didn’t know whether he could still compete in best-of-five-set matches against Alcaraz and his rival Jannik Sinner.

    Yet Fritz has told Tennis365 that 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has no reason to consider calling time on his career, after he reached the last four at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open this year.

    “He hasn’t really shown too many signs of slowing down,” stated Fritz when we asked him about Djokovic. “He obviously has had a great year, semis at every Grand Slam.

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    “It’s tough to even think about him retiring or being done soon when he is producing the level he is producing.”

    Fritz also hit back at critics of the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, where he will line-up alongside Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in an exhibition event that offers the biggest prize money cheque in tennis for the winner.

    Every player competing is guaranteed a $1.5m appearance fee, with the winner of the quick-fire event handed another $4.5m.

    “I think this is a great event,” said Fritz. “Like the Laver Cup, when you have the best players in the world playing against each other, it’s great.

    “The unfortunate thing is the schedule is already extremely packed as it is. So you have to choose between these things that are very enjoyable to do and load it on to how packed the tour already is. That’s the tough part.

    “It’s going to be live on Netflix, so you are going to get the tennis fans and hopefully a bit of a different audience as well.

    “It’s been amazing since I’ve been here. Just coming out of the airport last night was crazy. We are getting treated very, very nicely.”

    HOW TO WATCH THE SIX KINGS SLAM

    Netflix will broadcast live the Six Kings Slam, the highly anticipated tennis event from Riyadh Season that brings together six of the best players on the ATP circuit.

    All matches will begin at 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET / 5:30pm BST / 6:30pm CET.

    Quarterfinals – Wednesday, October 15

    Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

    Alexander Zverev (GER) vs Taylor Fritz (USA)

    Semifinals – Thursday, October 16

    Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs Zverev (GER) or Fritz (USA)

    Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Sinner (ITA) or Tsitsipas (GRE)

    Final / Third-Place match – Saturday, October 18

    Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2

    Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2

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    The post WATCH – Taylor Fritz talks to Tennis365 as he gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic’s future appeared first on Tennis365.

  • What Novak Djokovic said about how ‘close’ he is to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

    Novak Djokovic has commented on his rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and spoken candidly about his relationship with his fellow tennis legends.

    The Serbian’s rivalries with Nadal and Federer are the two most prolific matchups in the Open Era of men’s tennis by way of number of matches contested.

    Djokovic finished with a 31-29 lead against Nadal from the duo’s 60 record matches between 2006 and 2024, while he compiled a 27-23 record from his 50 meetings with Federer, which were spread between 2006 and 2020.

    From Federer’s first Grand Slam win at Wimbledon in 2003 to Djokovic’s most recent at the 2023 US Open, the ‘Big Three’ secured a staggering 66 of the 81 major tournaments held. Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slams, while Nadal and Federer retired on 22 on 20 respectively.

    Nadal called time on his career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, while Federer partnered Nadal in doubles for his final match at the 2022 Laver Cup. Djokovic, 38, is still competing at the highest level.

    Djokovic has explained that his rivalry with Nadal made it impossible for the pair to be friends.

    “Nadal is only a year older than me, we’re both Geminis,” the 38-year-old was quoted as saying by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

    “At first, we even had dinner together twice, but even with him, friendship is impossible.

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    “I’ve always respected and admired him greatly. Thanks to him and to Federer, I grew and became who I am. This will unite us forever, and for that I’m very grateful.

    “Nadal is part of my life; in the last 15 years, I’ve seen him more than my mother. We’ve never been friends. Between rivals, it’s impossible, but we’ve never been enemies.”

    On Federer, Djokovic added: “I’ve always respected Federer; he was one of the greatest of all time.

    “He had an extraordinary impact, but I’ve never been close to him.”

    During the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Djokovic expressed his wish to spend time with Federer and Nadal to reflect on everything they experienced together once he retires.

    “I don’t pause to reflect,” the former world No 1 admitted.

    “I don’t have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication.

    “I don’t play as much as I did before, but the weeks I don’t play, I play at home with my kids. I don’t reflect fully on everything I have been through.

    “I would like to but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip Margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.”

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    The post What Novak Djokovic said about how ‘close’ he is to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer appeared first on Tennis365.