Novak Djokovic Announces Retirement Following Brutal Injury in Six Kings Slam Match

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Novak Djokovic Announces Retirement Following Brutal Injury in Six Kings Slam Match

Novak Djokovic announced his retirement during his Six Kings Slam match against Taylor Fritz, citing a left leg injury. The 38-year-old Serbian player lost the opening set 7-6 after a grueling 75 minutes, which included a tightly contested tiebreaker where Fritz edged out Djokovic 7-4.

Injury Forces Djokovic to Retire

Djokovic experienced discomfort in his left leg during the match. He made the difficult decision to withdraw, feeling he could not continue under the challenging playing conditions. “Not great, I want to apologise to everybody,” Djokovic said to the crowd. He expressed regret for not being able to complete the second set after such a demanding first set.

Match Insights

The veteran player acknowledged Fritz’s skillful performance. “Credit to Taylor. We had some incredible games towards the end of that set,” Djokovic noted. He characterized the set as one of the longest he has ever played.

Future Plans for the Tennis Star

Despite this setback, Djokovic is set to participate in the upcoming ATP 250 tournament in Athens. He has also qualified for the ATP Finals in Turin this November. By securing his place, he equaled Roger Federer’s record by qualifying for the year-end finals for the 18th time.

Focus on Recovery

“Now it’s rest and really addressing some of the issues I have with my body,” Djokovic mentioned regarding his recovery plan. He aims to return for the season’s final tournaments, contingent on his health.

Fritz’s Historic Win

Fritz’s victory represents a milestone in his career, as it marked the first time he defeated Djokovic in 12 matches. He reflected on the physical nature of the match, stating, “It was such a tough set and at the end of it, conditions just got so slow.”