Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune both had short stints at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but despite their early exits, they walked away with significant earnings. Each of the two players competed for just over an hour, yet pocketed $1.5 million, which is the minimum prize money guaranteed at the event. Medvedev’s match against Jannik Sinner lasted a mere 69 minutes, while Rune’s battle with Carlos Alcaraz stretched slightly longer, clocking in at 72 minutes. Both players were eliminated in the quarterfinals, with Medvedev losing decisively to Sinner and Rune falling to Alcaraz.
The Six Kings Slam, which features six of the world’s top tennis stars, is an exclusive exhibition event that offers substantial financial incentives. The lineup includes some of the sport’s biggest names: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Nadal and Djokovic, who were given byes to the semifinals, are set to face Alcaraz and Sinner, respectively, in the next stage of the tournament.
Medvedev’s match against Sinner came just days after the two faced off in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters, where Sinner also triumphed in straight sets. In Riyadh, Sinner dominated from the outset, winning the first set 6-0 in a near-perfect display of tennis. Medvedev, known for his strong defensive play, struggled to find his rhythm and couldn’t recover. Sinner continued to apply pressure in the second set, breaking Medvedev twice and closing out the match with a commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory. Sinner’s victory secured him a spot in the semifinals, where he will face Novak Djokovic.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, one of tennis’s rising stars and already a two-time Grand Slam champion, took on Holger Rune in the other quarterfinal. Alcaraz, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, showcased his aggressive playing style, securing an early break in the first set to win it 6-4. The young Spaniard continued to dominate in the second set, winning 6-4, 6-2 and advancing to a much-anticipated semifinal clash against his compatriot and tennis icon, Rafael Nadal.
Although Medvedev and Rune were eliminated in the opening round, they still earned the hefty sum of $1.5 million each for their participation. Medvedev’s 69-minute match earned him approximately $21,739 per minute, while Rune’s 72-minute contest saw him pocket around $20,833 per minute. Such lucrative rewards are characteristic of high-profile exhibition events like the Six Kings Slam, which prioritize entertainment and star power alongside competitive tennis.
The tournament now moves into the semifinals, where the remaining four players will compete for a chance to claim the top prize. Carlos Alcaraz will face off against Rafael Nadal in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The two Spaniards have developed a captivating rivalry in recent years, with Alcaraz seen by many as Nadal’s heir apparent in Spanish tennis. Their last meeting came at the Netflix Slam, an exhibition event in Las Vegas, where Alcaraz emerged victorious in a tight contest, winning 3-6, 6-4, 14-12. Their last official competitive match took place at the 2022 Madrid Open, where Alcaraz defeated Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. This upcoming showdown will be closely watched, as Nadal continues his comeback following injuries and Alcaraz seeks to further solidify his place at the top of the sport.
In the other semifinal, Novak Djokovic will take on Jannik Sinner in what will be a rematch of their recent Shanghai Masters final. Sinner defeated Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3 in Shanghai, marking his fourth win in their last five meetings. Their head-to-head record is now tied at 4-4, adding extra intrigue to their Riyadh semifinal clash. Sinner, known for his powerful baseline game, has proven to be a formidable opponent for Djokovic, and the match is expected to be a high-octane affair.
The Six Kings Slam will take a brief pause on October 18, with no matches scheduled for the day. The tournament will resume on October 19, when both the third-place playoff and the final will be held. The winner of the exhibition will walk away with an impressive $6 million, making it one of the most financially rewarding events in tennis.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating the semifinal matchups, which will showcase some of the best talent in men’s tennis. Whether it’s the classic rivalry between Nadal and Alcaraz or the tactical showdown between Djokovic and Sinner, the Six Kings Slam is shaping up to be a memorable event, offering not only financial rewards but also top-tier tennis for fans around the world.