In an exciting new development for tennis fans, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are gearing up for the '6 Kings Slam,' an elite tennis exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia in October. The event, which will be part of the renowned Saudi cultural and entertainment festival called Riyadh Season, will also feature rising stars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
With the recent success of 20-year-old Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open last month, the lineup for the '6 Kings Slam' boasts a talented group of players. The only player without a Grand Slam title to his name yet is 18-year-old Holger Rune. This exhibition provides an incredible opportunity for these future stars to showcase their skills on a global stage.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, revealed, 'I am excited to return to Riyadh and play in front of all my Saudi fans.' Djokovic had recently suffered a loss to Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. Meanwhile, Nadal, who was appointed as an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation last month, expressed his anticipation for the event: 'After some other tennis players have done so, I am very excited to play for the first time in Riyadh.'
While exhibitions in the Gulf region are not uncommon, they typically take place during breaks in the ATP season or after its conclusion. It's worth noting that October is a busy month in the ATP calendar, with mandated Masters 1000 tournaments in Shanghai and Paris. However, specific dates for the '6 Kings Slam' have not yet been announced.
This latest development highlights Saudi Arabia's growing presence in the world of tennis. Currently, the country is hosting the Next Gen ATP Finals for top players under 21 in Jeddah until 2027. Additionally, discussions are underway to potentially host the season-ending WTA Finals for the women's tour. However, this proposal has garnered objections from tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, leading to criticism from the Saudi ambassador to the U.S.
Beyond tennis, Saudi Arabia has been making strides in various other sports such as football, boxing, and golf. The involvement of prominent tennis players and the potential purchase of tournaments like the Miami Open and Madrid Open by Saudi investors have raised concerns. Tennis great John McEnroe, for instance, has expressed his disagreement with these developments, deeming them a 'slippery slope' for the sport.
Despite differing opinions, the '6 Kings Slam' promises to offer an exciting spectacle for tennis enthusiasts, providing an exclusive opportunity to witness elite players in action. As further details emerge, fans eager to witness this exhibition will be eagerly awaiting the announcement of the event's dates and other pertinent information.
[Reference: Reuters]
