RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In an exciting display of skill, Jannik Sinner triumphed over Daniil Medvedev with a decisive score of 6-0, 6-3 during the Six Kings Slam on Wednesday. This exhibition event features six male players competing for prize money, though it does not contribute any points toward ATP rankings. This event is part of Saudi Arabia’s expanding involvement in the world of tennis.
The capital city will also be the host of the WTA Finals next month, marking the start of a three-year partnership as the nation continues to channel investments into various sports. This move has sparked discussions regarding human rights issues, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, as highlighted by tennis legends such as Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
Carlos Alcaraz was set to compete against Holger Rune in the other match of the evening at the Six Kings Slam. On the following day, top-seeded Sinner, who recently cleared his name in a doping case just before clinching the U.S. Open title last month — although the World Anti-Doping Agency has contested this ruling — will face off against Novak Djokovic. Meanwhile, either Alcaraz or Rune will take on Rafael Nadal, who is gearing up for his first match since his exit at the Paris Olympics last July and his recent announcement about retiring after the upcoming Davis Cup, where he will represent Spain. Nadal serves as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation.
After everyone takes a break on Friday, the winners from Thursday’s matches will clash in the final on Saturday. At 38 years old, Nadal boasts 22 Grand Slam titles, while 37-year-old Djokovic holds the record for the Open era with 24 titles. Both were granted byes into the semifinals in Riyadh.
Sinner has recently claimed two Grand Slam victories in 2024, while Alcaraz secured two other men’s major titles this season, bringing his total to four. Medvedev, on the other hand, was the champion of the 2021 U.S. Open. Rune stands out in the field as he is the only competitor without a major championship title and has not achieved a No. 1 ranking.