The Grand Slam season is over, but tennis isn’t done yet. In the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, six of the sport’s biggest names including jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are gearing up not for glory, but for something even more straightforward: money.
The Six Kings Slam, now in its second year, returns with a blockbuster lineup and a cash prize that outshines even the most prestigious events on the calendar. With $6 million up for grabs for the winner and $1.5 million guaranteed just for showing up, this isn’t your average exhibition. And while it won’t influence world rankings or tennis legacies, it’s attracting serious talent- and serious attention.
The Biggest Prize in Tennis
“It would be a lie if I told you it wasn’t a motivation,” says Jannik Sinner, the reigning champion and world No. 2. And why would he lie? With a potential payout larger than any Grand Slam, the Six Kings Slam is openly driven by financial incentive.
Taylor Fritz, last year’s US Open runner-up, put it even more bluntly:
“I’d love for them to show me a tournament where you can go play three matches- well, for the top two seeds, two matches- and potentially make $6 million.”
It’s a fair point. Grand Slams offer prestige, but they also demand two weeks of grueling best-of-five-set tennis. In Riyadh, players have a chance to earn more in four days than they would in a full year on tour.
Who Are the Six Kings?
This year’s field reads like a Hall of Fame ballot:
- Novak Djokovic – 24-time Grand Slam champion
- Carlos Alcaraz – 6-time Slam winner and the sport’s reigning prodigy
- Jannik Sinner – 2025 Australian Open & Wimbledon champion
- Alexander Zverev – 3-time Grand Slam finalist
- Taylor Fritz – 2024 US Open finalist
- Stefanos Tsitsipas – Twice a Slam finalist, replacing Jack Draper
Every player is a Slam finalist, and each enters with something to prove — or preserve. While the event carries no ranking points, the bragging rights (and the payout) make every match matter.
When and Where to Watch
The entire event will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, part of a growing trend of streaming platforms partnering with live sports. The tournament unfolds over three days:
Wednesday, October 15
- Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz
- Jannik Sinner vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Thursday, October 16
- Carlos Alcaraz vs. Zverev/Fritz winner
- Novak Djokovic vs. Sinner/Tsitsipas winner
Saturday, October 18
- Third-place match
- Championship match
Friday is a rest day- or, as some might see it, a cooling-off period before a $6 million showdown.
A Kingdom’s Growing Tennis Empire
The Six Kings Slam is just the latest chapter in Saudi Arabia’s rapid tennis expansion. The kingdom is now host to:
- The WTA Finals (Riyadh)
- The ATP Next Gen Finals (Jeddah)
- Sponsorship of both ATP and WTA rankings via the Public Investment Fund (PIF)
The money is changing the tennis landscape- but not without controversy. Critics, including legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, have voiced concern over the sport’s deepening ties to a country with a poor record on LGBTQ+ rights and women’s equality.
Yet for many players, the rewards are too big to ignore.
Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, Who Will Finish As Year-End No. 1?
Is It Just an Exhibition?
On paper, yes. It’s not part of the ATP calendar. No points. No effect on rankings. No historic trophies. But the competition is real.
“It’s like any other exhibition- except here there is a bit more motivation,” Sinner said with a grin.
This isn’t a charity match. It’s the best players in the world, with millions on the line, playing short-format, winner-takes-most tennis.
