Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz usher in tennis’s new age as Djokovic battles on

RIYADH: Day 2 of the Six Kings Slam delivered another evening of world-class tennis in Riyadh on Thursday, with Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz continuing to assert their dominance, while Novak Djokovic acknowledged the shifting balance at the top of men’s tennis.

Sinner, who captured last year’s ATP Finals title, once again showcased the consistency and composure that have elevated him into the sport’s elite. The Italian, who defeated Taylor Fritz to lift the year-end crown in 2024, produced another strong performance in Riyadh to reaffirm his place among tennis’s brightest stars.

Addressing Arab News’s question during a post-match press conference after his win, Sinner reflected on the satisfaction of maintaining his level and focus in a new setting. “Every day we have a challenge,” he said, adding that “Novak is a huge and tough challenge to play against.”

#WATCH: Winner Jannik Sinner talks about his rematch with @DjokerNole and how satisfying it is to come out on top again at the #SixKingsSlam in #Riyadh@janniksin pic.twitter.com/h3Uu4dFZKP

— Arab News | Sport (@ArabNewsSport) October 16, 2025

Djokovic, meanwhile, praised the quality of competition while admitting that the new generation led by Sinner and Alcaraz are playing “as close to perfection” as anyone right now.

“I always try to improve… but when I still do, I still try to play at the highest level and compete with the best players in the world,” Djokovic told Arab News. “Jannik and Carlos are, without a doubt, a few levels above both all of us. But I still try to close the gap and challenge them at the biggest tournaments.”

He added that while his hunger for titles remains, he’s aware that his current chapter comes with a new