Six Kings Slam. – Foto: instagram
The Six Kings Slam, a tennis exhibition tournament, begins this Wednesday (15) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event features six of the world’s top-ranked players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz. Organized by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the tournament takes place during the Riyadh Season and offers prizes surpassing those of Grand Slams. It aims to promote the sport in the country and attract a global audience.
Matches are scheduled for October 15, 16, and 18, with a rest day on the 17th to comply with ATP exhibition rules.
Each participant is guaranteed $1.5 million, with the winner taking home a total of $6 million.
Innovative tournament format
The Six Kings Slam uses a six-player bracket with direct quarterfinals and byes for top seeds. Alcaraz and Djokovic advance straight to the semifinals, while Sinner, Tsitsipas, Zverev, and Fritz compete for the remaining spots.
Matches follow a best-of-three-sets format with a tie-break in the third, played on a fast indoor court at The Venue, an arena with an 8,000-seat capacity.
The compact format allows quick clashes between rivals without affecting ATP rankings.
Confirmed players and highlights
Jannik Sinner, the current world number one, defends his 2024 title after defeating Alcaraz in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spaniard, seeks revenge and arrives as a favorite after a strong Grand Slam season.
- Novak Djokovic, with 24 major titles, participates for the second time, aiming for the record prize.
- Alexander Zverev, ranked third, steps in as a replacement and brings high-level match experience.
- Taylor Fritz, ranked fourth, debuts at the event, representing the rise of American tennis.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas, a versatile Greek, replaces the injured Jack Draper, who has an arm injury.
2024 edition and early legacy
The inaugural edition in October 2024 featured Nadal, Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Medvedev, and Rune, drawing a record 25,000 spectators. Sinner won the final 6-1, 7-5 against Alcaraz, earning $6 million.
Djokovic secured third place by defeating Nadal, in a match that may have marked the Spaniard’s farewell to exhibitions.
The tournament distributed $10 million in total prizes, a figure maintained in 2025, funded by sponsors like Aramco and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Global broadcasts via DAZN and Netflix reached over 10 million viewers.
Prize money and financial structure
The Six Kings Slam offers the largest individual paycheck in tennis, surpassing the US Open’s $5 million.
Each participant receives $1.5 million regardless of performance, attracting top players at the end of a grueling season.
The winner earns an additional $4.5 million, totaling $6 million, while the runner-up and third-place finisher receive $3 million and $2.25 million, respectively.
Funding comes from the GEA, led by Turki Al-Sheikh, which invests in sports events to boost regional tourism.
The tournament awards no ATP points but serves as a testing ground for players in recovery or preparation.
Broadcast and global accessibility
The event is streamed live on DAZN in over 200 countries, with global rights secured for future editions.
In Latin America, the platform provides full coverage, including post-match analysis and exclusive interviews.
Riyadh audiences can purchase tickets through the official Riyadh Season website, with VIP packages starting at 500 Saudi riyals.
Free streaming in select regions enhances engagement for remote fans.
Expectations for key matchups
The semifinals pit Alcaraz against Fritz and Djokovic against Sinner, promising high-level clashes on a fast court.
Sinner, after a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tsitsipas, faces Djokovic for the first time in an exhibition since 2024.
Alcaraz, with a bye, awaits Fritz, who defeated Zverev in straight sets, showcasing strong recent form.
The final, set for Saturday (18), could see a Sinner-Alcaraz rematch, echoing their 2024 clash.
The tournament strengthens Saudi Arabia’s presence in the tennis calendar, with plans for more annual editions.
Main keywords: six kings slam, tennis tournament, riyadh season, tennis players, tennis prize.
