Jannik Sinner has always been the player who thrives in the spotlight, but at the Six Kings Slam, he is writing his own flawless script. With a 4-0 record so far, the Italian sensation has been untouchable, blending precision, poise, and quiet intensity as he storms through one opponent after another. Following a dominating start to this tournament in this edition against Stefanos Tsitsipas, he is now up for a massive task.

Now, standing on the horizon looms the biggest test of them all—the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic. Sinner currently has a 6-4 record against the Serb, and guess what? He has won five matches in a row against Djokovic, with the latest two matches coming this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. After winning a hard-fought battle against Djokovic in the SF of the 2025 French Open, he hailed the Serbian superstar as a “true role model for all of us.” Then recently, during the Shanghai Masters, he yet again praised Djokovic for his massive influence on the sport. 

“It's great to be in the same tournament with Novak. It's a great honor for me to compete while he continues his career, and it's fantastic for our sport that he remains in the game,” said Sinner. But what are his thoughts about the upcoming battle at the Six Kings Slam SF against the same man?

After wrapping up the previous match against Tsitsipas within 1 hour and 16 minutes, Sinner shifted his focus to the next battle, saying, “We all hope it’s a good match. This is all we hope for. We know each other very well… we’ve played many, many times. It’s great to share the court again with Novak. Especially here in front of you guys. We’ll just try to play the best possible tennis we can. We’ll just see how it goes. Mostly we are here to enjoy. To bring tennis here. All we hope is that you guys enjoy. That’s why we’re here.”

If Sinner wins this contest, he’ll probably face either Carlos Alcaraz or Taylor Fritz in the final. The total prize money pool for 2025 is $13.5 million in this tournament, and the winner of this exhibition will take home a staggering $6 million. So, there’s a lot at stake for both Sinner and Djokovic in this epic SF clash.

Previously, after losing the SF match against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic made an honest admission. He said, “I reach the final stages; I reach the semis of every Slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I'm going into the match with the tank half empty. It's just not possible to win a match like that.” But can he change his fortunes this time?

Each match Sinner has played in this exhibition has showcased a different layer of his growing maturity. His serve, once considered a weakness, has become a weapon. His baseline aggression, paired with his signature calmness, has left even seasoned rivals second-guessing their strategies. It’s the kind of dominance that commands attention—and Djokovic, watching from across the draw, surely has taken note. What does he have to say about the Italian before this mega duel?

Novak Djokovic’s interesting thought about Jannik Sinner before their SF faceoff

For Novak Djokovic, the Six Kings Slam is another opportunity to reaffirm his supremacy over a generation of rising stars. But for Jannik Sinner, it’s more than that—it’s a chance to announce that the next era might already be here. The 24-year-old’s composure, coupled with his hunger, makes this upcoming clash a symbolic battle between experience and evolution.

Ahead of their much-anticipated clash at the Six Kings Slam today, the Serb made a very interesting comment about Sinner. Talking about the Italian’s playing style, Djokovic said, “Sinner… I think it’s obvious. I think we…you know, try to smack the ball as hard as you can and move well.” He further added, “Skinny, like I am, and plays the game with perfection in terms of strategy and tries to be an all-round player and plays every shot in the game… I think that resembles me and my best days.”

Surely, this is a huge compliment for Jannik Sinner, and as the Six Kings Slam edges closer to its climax, the stage is set for a showdown rich in narrative—the flawless Italian against the tireless champion. But if Sinner can maintain his perfect run, the story of this tournament might not just be about his unbeaten streak but about the beginning of a new rivalry that could define tennis for years to come.

But amid all these, the world number 2 also shared a few thoughts about the court at the ANB Arena. According to Sinner, it’s a very unusual indoor court, and it’s a very interesting situation that the players have to deal with here on the court because it’s quite bouncy; with new balls, it’s quite fast, and it slows down with used balls.

So, according to him, the court was extra grippy in his first match at this tournament, and like we all know, both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic like to slide on hard courts. Will this be a key factor in deciding the fate of this epic SF clash? Well, it’s needless to mention that both these players will come out all guns blazing in this epic duel. So, fasten your seatbelts!

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more

Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta