The 'Six Kings Slam' is postponed and will be held at the end of the year
Due to the ongoing war conflict in the Middle East and the recent bombings in Riyadh, the competition has been moved to December 27.
A very important news announcement has just been made in the world of tennis. Due to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East and the recent bombings in Riyadh, the 'Six Kings Slam' has been suspended and will now take place from December 27 to 30, in a development that will have a direct impact on players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev, as it forces them to change their short-term plans.
Initially, this exhibition tournament was scheduled to be held from October 21 to 24, but in recent days, Riyadh had experienced several bombings (including at the airport) which left the competition's celebration in the air. The tournament is known for the substantial prize money it distributes among the players, especially to the winner, which is why they have decided to postpone it rather than cancel it altogether.
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Alex De Miñaur, Learner Tien, Taylor Fritz, and Alex De Miñaur had been selected for this year's edition, with Tien replacing Jannik Sinner due to an injury that will keep him off the circuit until 2027. However, the bombings in Riyadh had caused several deaths and hundreds of injuries in recent days, which is why the decision was made to prioritize the safety of all parties involved.
The 'Six Kings Slam' Alters the Preseason of the Players
The new date will require the players to adjust their preseason, as with the event taking place from December 27 to 30 they will have to travel to Riyadh on the 25th. A challenging date, such as Christmas Day, during which they will have to be away from their families, but they will have to comply knowing the importance of playing there and honoring the agreement.
On the other hand, we must consider the physical factor, as the ATP season will conclude on November 24 with the Davis Cup finals. If it had been held in October, all these players would have faced a long trip to the Middle East with multiple physical problems, but since it will be held at the end of December, they will have a month to rest and recharge.
De Miñaur arrived affected after withdrawing from the final in Beijing against Djokovic, Novak himself has been suffering from physical problems all year, Alcaraz has barely played three tournaments since returning from his knee injury, Zverev has ankle issues, Tien has knee problems... Most likely, the majority have welcomed this decision beyond the primary reason for its implementation. Furthermore, it will be a mini preseason that they will have to undertake before traveling to Australia to start the 2027 season.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La "Six Kings Slam" se suspende y se celebrará a finales de año