Show of superlatives: Saudi Arabia attracts Sinner & Co.

The elaborate promotional video for the Six Kings Slam looks like a trailer for a Hollywood blockbuster – and the tennis stars are all in it. It's a foretaste of what's to come in Saudi Arabia starting Wednesday.

14 October 2024

From: Leo/dpa

Jannik Sinner as a Renaissance artist. Carlos Alcaraz as a cyborg. Holger Rune as a Viking. Daniil Medvedev as a bear rider. Rafael Nadal as a sand fighter. Novak Djokovic as a wolf tamer. “There is a lot of nonsense at the Six Kings Slam,” commented the New York Times the controversial show tournament in Saudi Arabia: “But the trailer? It’s awesome.”

It is probably the most expensive video production in tennis history - but money is not a problem for the organizer. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is allowed to use the Saudi state fund PIF, which has a total volume of an estimated 650 billion euros.

Lots of money, but no points

The reported entry fee of 1,5 million US dollars for each starter is almost pocket change in comparison, as is the winner's prize of 6 million US dollars. This large sum of money is part of the strategy to generate attention for an essentially irrelevant exhibition tournament in which neither an official title nor world ranking points are at stake.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz could only meet in the final. © ANSA / ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES

At the premiere on October 16 and 19, the six tennis stars will compete in Riyadh for the "ultimate battle", as the organizers artificially hyped up the event. But there is no shortage of superlatives: never before has a show tournament been as high-class and as well-funded as the Six Kings Slam, which also takes place during the season of the professional organization ATP. This is only possible because there is no major ATP mandatory tournament during this period and there is a one-day break from competition. According to the ATP, unofficial events are not allowed to take place on three or more consecutive days.

Andy Murray: Nobody is interested in show tennis

To kick things off, Spain's tennis ace Alcaraz will face Rune from Denmark, while Sinner will play (again) against Russian Medvedev on Wednesday. Record Grand Slam tournament winner Djokovic and Spain's veteran Rafael Nadal are already set for the semifinals.

Nadal recently announced his final retirement at the end of the season. Before his departure at the Davis Cup final in mid-November, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner is expected to fulfill his role as Saudi Arabia's tennis ambassador. He is "very excited to play in Riyadh for the first time," the 38-year-old said dutifully. Nadal has not played an official singles match since the end of July when he lost to Djokovic at the Olympics.

Participating in the Six Kings Slam: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal © ANSA / FRANCK ROBICHON

This is another reason why the sporting value of the Six Kings Slam is questionable, especially since the ATP finals with the eight best tennis players of the year are due to take place three weeks later. It is just “show tennis that no one is interested in,” wrote two-time Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray on the platform X.

Massive investments in sport – but why?

There is much more at stake at the WTA finals of the eight best female players, which will take place in Riyadh for the first time in early November. Before the award ceremony, tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova expressed their anger in a joint letter to WTA boss Steve Simon: WTA finals in Saudi Arabia, which has been widely criticized for human rights violations, would be "incompatible with the spirit and mission of women's tennis and the WTA". The WTA argued that the money from Saudi Arabia would make efforts to achieve equal pay - the same pay as men - much easier, even outside of the Grand Slam tournaments.

Going into the Six Kings Slam as outsiders: Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / CLIVE BRUNSKILL

The fact is that Saudi Arabia is increasing its influence in tennis. A multi-year strategic partnership with the ATP has been in place since February, and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is, among other things, the name sponsor of the world rankings and an official partner at major tournaments. The Next Gen Finals, the end of the year event for the best professionals under 21, are already taking place in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport for years and has also made major investments in football, boxing and Formula 1. The official goals of the state plan "Vision 2030" are to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on oil, open up the country to tourists and offer attractive offers for its own population. But the kingdom is also accused of using its involvement in sport to distract from its human rights violations and improve its image.