Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The international tennis community remains in a state of shock following the surprising withdrawal ofNovak Djokovicduring the semi-final of theSix Kings Slamin front ofTaylor Fritz. The world number one left the match after the first set, citing “hip and back injuries.” However, new revelations point to a much more explosive undercurrent that could shake the foundations of professional tennis.
According to sources close to the Serbian team, the player himselfDusan Vemic, Djokovic’s official coach, would have confirmed that the true cause of the withdrawal was not medical, buta secret contract disputewith theSaudi Arabia organizing committee.
The conflict would be linked to a“supercontracted”signed between Djokovic and thePublic Investment Fund (FIP)from Saudi Arabia, valued at1.5 billion dollarsover five years. This agreement provided for the international promotion of the tournament and the mandatory participation of the Serbian champion in all exhibition events sponsored by the FIP.
However, the problem would have arisen due to certaincontroversial clausesincluded in the contract. Internal sources assure that Djokovicrefused to participate in advertising campaigns with questionable political and ethical overtones, related to government projects in the region.
During aclosed door meetingPrior to the semifinal, the player would have demanded the modification of his contract, even threatening withmake information publicif an agreement was not reached.
The coachDusan VemicHe recounted the dramatic moments prior to the retirement:
“Novak entered the meeting room with a face full of fury and shouted:‘I’m no one’s puppet!’before leaving.”
According to Vemic, the organizers, fearful that the incident would become a global media scandal,They pressured the player to retire “due to injury”, in order to control the damage and maintain the image of the tournament.
“Novak defends his principles,” added the coach. “If Saudi Arabia forces him to do something unethical, I fully support his decision to withdraw.”
The situation raises a deep debate about the limits betweenethics, money and sport. Djokovic, known for his strong character and commitment to his values, could now face multimillion-dollar financial and contractual sanctions, but his stance has already sparked a wave of support among fans and colleagues on the circuit.
Meanwhile, theSix Kings Slamtries to rebuild its image, in a context where financial interests seem to collide head-on with the values of sport.
The truth is that the caseDjokovic–Saudi ArabiaIt is just beginning, and could set a historical precedent for the independence of athletes against the great economic powers of world tennis.
