Jannik Sinner will play Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia after destroying Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3. In the other semi-final, Carlos Alcaraz will take on Taylor Fritz, who required just 59 minutes to beat an underpowered Alexander Zverev.
The six-player event is taking place across three days in Riyadh with every player earning a $1.5m appearance fee and a massive $4.5m going to the overall winner. Alcaraz and Djokovic were given byes straight to the semi-finals on Thursday.
Wednesday’s quarter-finals were barely contests. Fritz rolled past Zverev 6-3 6-4, with the German appearing to be dealing with a shoulder injury, before Sinner produced a dominant performance to thrash Tsitsipas at the loss of just five games as he routinely exploited the Greek’s one-handed backhand.
Every match is streamed live on Netflix and last year’s final saw Sinner beat Alcaraz to become the inaugural Six Kings Slam champion, so the Italian will be keen to retain his crown in Riyadh over the next few days.
Follow coverage of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh with our live blog below:
Six Kings Slam - live updates
- The Six Kings Slam, tennis's biggest-money exhibition event, gets underway in Saudi Arabia | Live on Netflix
- Jannik Sinner rolls past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 to set up semi-final with Novak Djokovic
- Taylor Fritz defeats Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-4 to set up semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz
- Djokovic and Alcaraz received bye to semi-finals
Carlos Alcaraz explains why critics are wrong about Six Kings Slam
12:19 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz has argued players are misunderstood when it comes to criticism over exhibition tournaments.
Alcaraz was among those voicing criticism of the demanding tour schedule in Asia, where a number of players struggled physically, with the world No 1 saying he would consider skipping mandatory events to prioritise his health.
The Spaniard understands, therefore, why there are raised eyebrows over the Six Kings Slam, but he believes critics are wide of the mark.
Alcaraz told the PA news agency: “I think it’s a discussion that a lot of players and a lot of people are talking about with the calendar, how tight it is with a lot of tournaments and the tournaments of two weeks, and then making some, I’m going to say, excuses with exhibitions, how players are complaining about the calendar and then playing some exhibitions.”
Six Kings Slam reveals what the top tennis players want in 2026
10:19 , Jamie BraidwoodAt a time in the season where the annual debate over what to do about the overpacked and unrelenting tennis calendar swings around once more, it seems there is always room for a little more competition when it comes with a $6m cheque for the champion on the side.
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are among the players involved as the Six Kings Slam returns for its second year in Saudi Arabia, with the three-day exhibition in Riyadh offering $1m more to the winner than Alcaraz received when he triumphed at last month’s US Open, itself the biggest prize fund in grand slam history.
Six Kings Slam reveals what the top tennis players want in 2026
When is Six Kings Slam? Schedule, confirmed line-up and how to watch
08:19 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are all signed up to play in the latest edition of the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
The six-player exhibition event will take place across three days in Riyadh, with the tournament offering all competitors a $1.5m participation fee plus an additional $4.5m for the overall winner.
As it is an exhibition, the Six Kings Slam does not offer rankings points. It is the highest profile men’s tennis event to take place in Saudi Arabia, which has often been accused of using sport and entertainment to whitewash its human rights record.
When is Six Kings Slam? Schedule, confirmed line-up and how to watch
Jannik Sinner returns as defending champion
06:19 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s Six Kings Slam final, having also beaten Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The Italian took home the $6m prize amid a dominant run of form towards the end of the season that included titles at the US Open and ATP Finals.
He returns as the defending champion having retired from his third-round match at the Shanghai Open after struggling physically.
The Wimbledon champion lost in the US Open final to Alcaraz - and could come face to face with the Spaniard in Riyadh for the first time since New York.
He will have to again get through Djokovic, but the Italian looked fresh in his dominant opening win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Novak Djokovic returns to action at Six Kings Slam
04:19 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter reaching the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters last week, Novak Djokovic is scheduled to return to action at the Six Kings Slam, with the 38-year-old receiving a bye into the semi-finals.
Djokovic struggled physically throughout the week in Shanghai and was stunned by World No 204 and eventual champion Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this season only to lose to either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, will be determined to prove himself against his young rivals this week.
But his fitness will be a concern after his struggles with the heat and humidity in Shanghai, where his body proved to be the difference at the business end of the tournament.
How the Six Kings Slam prize money compares to grand slam tournaments
02:19 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Six Kings Slam champion will win a reported $6m (£4.5m) in prize money this week. That makes the exhibition the biggest prize in tennis, and above the four grand slams. Carlos Alcaraz recently took home $5m by winning the US Open, but the Six Kings Slam champion will take home more.
Six Kings Slam: $6m (£4.5m)
US Open: $5m (£3.74m)
Wimbledon: $4m (£3m)
French Open: $2.9m (£2.17m)
Australian Open: $2.3m (£1.75m)
Carlos Alcaraz admits ankle injury is not '100 per cent'
Thursday 16 October 2025 00:20 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle is still not “100 per cent” as he prepares for his first match at the Six Kings Slam.
The 22-year-old has not played since winning the Japan Open title and skipped the Shanghai Masters because of the ankle injury he picked up in his opening match in Tokyo.
“Everything’s OK. I’ve been recovering the ankle as much and as good as I can,” Alcaraz told PA, admitting it hasn’t fully healed.
“I don’t feel, I would say, 100 per cent, the doubts are there thinking about it a little bit when I’m moving on court.
“But I think it improved a lot and I’m going to compete and perform well here in the Six Kings Slam.”
Jannik Sinner questions ‘very unusual’ Six Kings Slam court surface
Wednesday 15 October 2025 23:19 , Jamie Braidwoodannik Sinner said he will need to adapt to the “unusual” court at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia as he prepares for another showdown with Novak Djokovic.
Sinner raced to a 6-2 6-3 opening victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion’s first match since retiring from the Shanghai Open earlier this month.
The Italian had few problems beating Tsitsipas as he repeatedly targeted the Greek’s one-handed backhand with vicious blows from his forehand.
But he said the court at the ANB Arena was temperamental, with the surface giving an extremely high and wide bounce on some kick-serves while being flat and slow during other rallies.
Jannik Sinner questions ‘very unusual’ Six Kings Slam court surface
Zverev makes mockery of Six Kings prize money in one-sided defeat
Wednesday 15 October 2025 22:19 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz raced through to the semi-finals as the opening day of the Six Kings Slam exhibition fell flat in Saudi Arabia. Sinner thrashed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 to book a semi-final with Novak Djokovic after Fritz required just 59 minutes to beat Alexander Zverev and set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday.
Both Tsitsipas and Zverev will head home from the six-player exhibition having received a reported $1.5m for turning up. The overall champion will win an additional $4.5, making the three-day event the biggest prize fund of the tennis season. Zverev earned roughly $250,000 more for his 59-minute defeat to Fritz than he did for finishing runner-up at the Australian Open in January, at a rate of around $25,000 per minute.
Alexander Zverev makes mockery of Six Kings Slam prize money in one-sided defeat
Jannik Sinner on 'huge honour' of playing Novak Djokovic
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:59 , Jamie Braidwood“It’s a huge honour to play again, against a legend like Novak. We need rivalries in the sport. It's great to have him still here playing in the highest level of our sport. He’s a great role model, you know, also because you look up to these guys. He's still hungry to win big titles and and that's why he still keeps playing. Hopefully it's going to be interesting tomorrow.”
Jannik Sinner on the 'unusual court' at Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:39 , Jamie Braidwood“It's a very unusual indoor court. It is a very interesting situation we have to deal with here on the court because it's quite bouncy, with new balls it's quite fast and it slows down with with used balls.”
Jannik Sinner reflects on win over Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:19 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner had a 3-6 record against Stefanos Tsitsipas before today but was utterly emphatic in defeating the Greek 6-2 6-3.
“We played already many times, of course. By the time we become better players and we know each other's game a little bit more, so I knew a little bit also tactically how to prepare for the match,.
“I just tried to stay quite aggressive, especially on the return games. I felt like I was serving very well in the important moments.”
Jannik Sinner looks ahead to facing Novak Djokovic
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:01 , Jamie Braidwood“We all hope that it's a good match. Of course, we know each other very well now. We played many, many times, so it's great to share the court again with Novak, especially here in front of you guys. We just try to play the best possible tennis we can. But mostly we are here to enjoy.”
Jannik Sinner looks to extend streak against Novak Djokovic
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:47 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner has won his last six matches against Novak Djokovic - not including last year’s Six Kings Slam semi-final, which doesn’t count towards official head-to-head records.
Sinner has also won seven of his last eight competitive matches with Djokovic since losing to him in the 2023 Wimbledon semi-finals. They have met twice so far this season, with Sinner winning in the French Open semi-finals and Wimbledon semi-finals.
They will play again tomorrow in the Six Kings semi-finals.
Six Kings Slam semi-final line-up complete
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:42 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Six Kings Slam will get the same semi-final line-up as Wimbledon, with Carlos Alcaraz taking on Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner getting another crack at Novak Djokovic.
Six Kings Slam schedule - Thursday October 16
From 5:30pm BST (UK time)
Semi-final 1: Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz
Semi-final 2: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-2 6-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:35 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner senses his moment as he throws his full force into his groundstrokes and gets two points away at 0-30.
Tsitsipas fires an ace out wide but then drags his forehand into the tramlines - bringing up two match points for Sinner.
Tsitsipas nets on a limp forehand and smiles as he shakes hands with Sinner at the net. It was too good from Sinner today.
Jannik Sinner 6-2 5-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:32 , Jamie BraidwoodA love-hold for Sinner as Tsitsipas’ backhand return fizzes out. Tsitsipas, who is looking to change his racket again, now needs to hold to stay in this.
*Jannik Sinner 6-2 4-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:29 , Jamie BraidwoodImmediately after playing his best game of the match, Tsitsipas has called a medical timeout for treatment on a back injury.
*Jannik Sinner 6-2 4-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:28 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner is grinning as he blasts a forehand winner, then duels Tsitsipas from the back of the court before finishing the point with a backhand lob. That’s a blow for Tsitsipas, who had grown into the rally.
But he then responds magnificently, firing the backhand winner and then out-hitting Sinner in one of the few exchanges he has won. A double-fault only briefly delays him as Tsitsipas produces another winner.
Fair play to Tsitsipas.
Jannik Sinner 6-2 4-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:21 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner’s footwork comes alive as he runs around a forehand and flashes the winner down the line, followed by an ace.
Tsitsipas goes long on the return and Sinner re-establishes his two-game lead.
*Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:18 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner nets on the forehand return and Tsitsipas has pulled himself to within a game of this second set. It almost feels as if Sinner could run away with this again if he really wanted to, though.
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:15 , Jamie BraidwoodLike he did towards the end of the first set, there’s a lull from Sinner after jumping into a dominant position. A double-fault from Sinner brings up break point, where he makes the forehand error. Some relief for Tsitsipas but that was mostly on Sinner.
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:10 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner clumps a net-cord but then leaves Tsitsipas rooted to the baseline with a drop shot.
It brings up break point and Tsitsipas goes long on the forehand, with Sinner once agani taking over the point behind his forehand.
Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:06 , Jamie BraidwoodThe bounce off this court is ridiculous and the spin on Sinner’s wide serve takes the ball away from Tsitsipas.
Sinner has made an identical start to the second set as he did to the first. Tsitsipas is searching for ideas and changes his racket.
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-2 1-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:02 , Jamie BraidwoodFrom 40-15 up on serve, Tsitsipas is broken. The Greek can only watch as a forehand from Sinner flies past him. Several errors from Tsitsipas then hand Sinner the break, as the Italian once again targeted the one-handed backhand.
FIRST SET! Jannik Sinner 6-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:57 , Jamie BraidwoodTsitsipas looks to be on a roll as he moves to 0-30 against the Sinner serve, but the Italian fires a forehand winner to take charge once more.
Sinner swats away a smash to bring up set point, where Sinner makes his first double-fault of the match. A powerful approach from Sinner quickly brings up a second chance.
And he takes it. Tsitsipas pushes a backhand wide, with Sinner once again targeting the Greek’s one-hander. Sinner wraps it up in 36 minutes, but it could have been even quicker after winning the first five games.
*Jannik Sinner 5-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:50 , Jamie BraidwoodFair play to Tsitsipas. He could have thrown in the towel after facing a bombardment from Sinner, but he gets his second game on the board by finding a forehand winner down the line. Trying to fight fire with fire.
Jannik Sinner 5-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:47 , Jamie BraidwoodA loose couple of points from Sinner and Tsitsipas finds a good return to bring up three break points.
Sinner saves the first couple but not the third! Tsitsipas raises his hands and has something to celebrate after getting on the board.
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 5-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:42 , Jamie BraidwoodJust unreal from Sinner.
He launches himself into another massive forehand and then goes the right way as Tsitsipas pushes an approach down the line, returning it with a lovely backhand winner down the line.
Tsitsipas double faults on the break point and Sinner wins his fifth game in a row. He’s going to serve for a bagel-set, next.
Jannik Sinner 4-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:39 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner is not messing around. The Italian holds to love as he lands a serve out wide and whips the forehand winner into the corner.
After the lack of effort from Zverev earlier, Sinner is looking absolutely locked in.
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 3-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:37 , Jamie BraidwoodEmphatic from Sinner. He sets up another break point, with another winner.
The Tsitsipas backhand gets another battering, with Sinner then going very close to the line with the forehand winner. He gets the break.
Sinner is hitting 75 per cent of his shots to the Tsitsipas backhand. An onslaught.
Jannik Sinner 2-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:34 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is relentless from Sinner, who is looking to bomb the Tsitsipas backhand as much as he can.
Tsitsipas double-faults on 30-30 but Sinner then can’t get the return in play with the chance to go a double-break up.
Sinner goes again and finds a lovely backhand winner down the line. Tsitsipas saves for the second time as he moves in and puts away the volley!
Back to deuce.
Jannik Sinner 2-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:30 , Jamie BraidwoodClutch serving from Sinner. From 15-40 down, the Italian finds four first-serves in a row to hold.
Jannik Sinner 1-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:29 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner has brought some early intensity, which Tsitsipas has to try and match. So there is some life in the second quarter-final and that’s more than you can say about the previous match between Fritz and Zverev.
But after a couple of forehand misses from Sinner, Tsitsipas hangs in on the forehand-backhand exchange. Sinner goes long on the backhand and the Greek gets a look at two break points on 15-40. Sinner saves the first with an ace and then takes charge again with another powerful serve.
Deuce.
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 1-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:25 , Jamie BraidwoodOminous start from Sinner, who immediately sets up break points. The Italian targets the Greek’s backhand, as expected, to force the opening error. Tsitsipas mixes it up on the second break point, going for the drop shot, and Sinner nets. An awkward moment for Sinner as he tried to slide into the forehand but got his foot stuck on the grippy start.
No matter. Sinner sets up another break point with another aggressive return, hit early and powerfully to Tsitsipas’ backhand side. We are going to see that a lot and Sinner takes the opening break as he races to put away a forehand winner.
Jannik Sinner 0-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:19 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go! Can Tsitsipas’ one-handed backhand survive against Sinner’s forehand and pace? The court in Riyadh is extremely bouncy, which could spell danger for the Greek.
Jannik Sinner v Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:15 , Jamie BraidwoodSinner wins the toss and elects to receive. He has played Tsitsipas nine times but only has three wins against the Greek. Most of their meetings came before 2024, though, and before Sinner’s game really come together to become the dominant force we know now. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, has gone the other way. This is their first meeting since Monte Carlo last year, won by Tsitsipas.
Jannik Sinner v Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:12 , Jamie BraidwoodThere are even more empty seats in the Arena in Riyadh as Sinner and Tsitsipas take to the court. There are some cheers for Sinner, though, as the Wimbledon champion is introduced.
It’s extremely flat, again.
Jannik Sinner v Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:10 , Jamie BraidwoodOur second quarter-final is coming up. Novak Djokovic faces the winner.
They have wheeled out the same pre-match light show before Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas take to the court.
Six Kings Slam: It can only get better
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:04 , Jamie BraidwoodHe faced a few break points in the first set but really that was a dominant win from Fritz from start to finish. Zverev was underpowered and seemed to be dealing with a shoulder injury. The German heads home after one match, but with his $1.5m. Not bad for a 6-3 6-4 defeat in just 59 minutes, I guess.
It’s Sinner v Tsitsipas next.
Taylor Fritz: 'I was holding serve pretty easily'
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:56 , Jamie BraidwoodTaylor Fritz admits that he was holding serve was pretty “easily” against Zverev - but says he felt some “nerves” towards the end. He still served it out, though, without facing any danger at all.
Ahead of facing Carlos Alcaraz, he says: “It’s physical, it’s tough. I have to play my best against Carlos and you have to fight to keep up with his level.”
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-4 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:53 , Jamie BraidwoodFritz shanks a forehand from mid-court, which draws a couple of gasps from the crowd and forces the American to face 15-30.
Zverev, finally, seems to be giving something to these points but goes wide on the backhand slice. Fritz then pushes Zverev into a miss on his forehand side and it brings up match point.
An ace out wide from Fritz! He has his seventh win in a row against Zverev and books a semi-final with Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev is all smiles at the net, which rather sums up what this meant to him, I think.
*Taylor Fritz 6-3 5-4 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:49 , Jamie BraidwoodA little better from Zverev as he finds an effective wide serve, finally winning some routine points behind serve in this match. But one suspects it’s too little, too late from Zverev. One suspects he doesn’t mind too much, either.
Taylor Fritz 6-3 5-3 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:46 , Jamie BraidwoodThis really is an exhibition, folks. Zverev gives up on the point as Fritz measured up a backhand volley, which meant he couldn’t get up to the ball even when the American failed to put it into the corner. Fritz holds to love, again, as he finds the wide serve and Zverev returns into the net.
*Taylor Fritz 6-3 4-3 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:43 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev has mostly been hitting his serve into the middle of the boxes, with the commentary reporting that his serve speed is down 20mph on his season average. But the German does find the line on serve before putting away the forehand. A bit better.
Taylor Fritz 6-3 4-2 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:40 , Jamie BraidwoodThere’s a nice half-volley from Zverev as he holds to love. Fritz, though, has been dominant on serve in this second set, finding his spots and alternating between power and spin.
Zverev finds a nice forehand pass but Fritz then pushes the forehand winner past Zverev, catching the back of the line. He moves two games away.
Taylor Fritz 6-3 3-1 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:35 , Jamie BraidwoodFritz gets some wicked kick into his wide serve to Zverev’s backhand. On the next point, Zverev chucks a backhand out of play. Another routine game ticked off from the American.
BREAK! *Taylor Fritz 6-3 2-1 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is some of the safest serving I’ve ever seen from Zverev. He’s barely missing a first serve, but there’s no pop or power at all from the German. Fritz works himself into a chance to go for the forehand pass and gets a look at three break points on 0-40.
Zverev saves the first two, or rather Fritz misses a couple. Zverev slumps a forehand into the net on the third break point.
Taylor Fritz 6-3 1-1 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:28 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is dull stuff, folks. Zverev loops a woeful backhand long of the baseline during a simple crosscourt exchange with Fritz on 30-30.
Fritz directs a backhand winner down the line to get the hold. Zverev applauds as he jogs after it.
FIRST SET! Taylor Fritz 6-3 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:22 , Jamie BraidwoodFritz serves out the first set, with Zverev not putting up much defiance at all as the American thrashes a smash out of his reach.
There’s some polite applause but not a lot more - the atmosphere is extremely flat and a one-sided first set from Fritz in 28 minutes hardly helps.
Taylor Fritz 5-2 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:16 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev catches two net-cords, including a dead net-cord on a backhand return, to get to 15-40 and two break points.
Fritz finds the powerful serve-forehand combination, which is required to save a third break point from deuce.
Fritz shuts the door on Zverev and aces the German out wide to move a game away from the first set.
*Taylor Fritz 4-2 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:11 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev, I think, is only playing at about 60 or 70 per cent, with his groundstrokes significantly underpowered.
Fritz seems a little thrown-off by it. Zverev gets a hold as he pulls Fritz inside the baseline with drop shot and then finds the lob.
Zverev puts the volley away from Fritz’s attempted tweener.
Taylor Fritz 4-1 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:06 , Jamie BraidwoodBetter from Zverev as he steps into a backhand winner down the line followed by a forehand winner past Fritz.
The German gets on the board but looks to be grimacing slightly as Fritz blasts a backhand past him, followed by another ace.
Fritz serves into the net - and the ball actually gets stuck in one of the holes - before Zverev misses on the return.
Taylor Fritz 3-0 Alexander Zverev*
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:02 , Jamie BraidwoodFritz thumps an ace down the middle to move to 40-0. Zverev comes out on top in a couple of rallies, but Fritz then finds another ace down the middle to take the hold. A strong start from the American as he looks for a seventh win in a row against Zverev.
BREAK! *Taylor Fritz 2-0 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:59 , Jamie BraidwoodFritz and Zverev are both big servers, so expect break-point opportunities to be at a premium.
Or maybe not. Fritz gets off to a solid start on serve but then jumps into 15-40 against the Zverev serve.
Fritz fires a forehand winner, pulls off a backhand lob, and then clips a forehand past Zverev that the German barely moved for.
And there is the break. Zverev puts a limp backhand into the net, and has made a very sluggish start to this one.
*Taylor Fritz 0-0 Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:49 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev wins the toss and elects to receive.
Mark Petchey, who recently had a coaching spell with Emma Raducanu alongside his broadcasting commitments, is alongside Tim Henman on the commentary.
*denotes next server
Taylor Fritz v Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:45 , Jamie BraidwoodIt wouldn’t be a tennis event without some protracted build-up, but the pre-match ceremonies are underway, beginning with a light show on the court.
Fritz and Zverev are introduced out onto the court - and there are still a few hundred empty seats in the 8,000-capacity arena before the opening quarter-final of the day.
Taylor Fritz v Alexander Zverev
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:40 , Jamie Braidwood“He’s someone who has made a lot of wins against me recently”, Alexander Zverev says as he looks ahead to his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz. Zverev says the American has “improved a lot” over the last 12 months, with the 27-year-old getting through to a US Open final and Wimbledon semi-final over the last couple of years.
Fritz has six wins in a row against Zverev and says “moments” have gone his way in each one.
Six Kings Slam broadcast underway, live on Netflix
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:35 , Jamie BraidwoodThe broadcast of the opening day’s play is now underway, live on Netflix. It begins with a rather bold announcement, that the players will be competing for the “biggest prize in the sport”. In terms of prize money, sure, but let’s not pretend this is anything other than an exhibition.
Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Feliciano López are courtside in Riyadh, working as pundits for Netflix this week.
Six Kings Slam rules
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:35 , Jamie BraidwoodMatches are played over best-of-three sets, using the same scoring system as tour events on the ATP. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have received a bye to the semi-finals.
Since the Six Kings Slam is an exhibition, the event is not allowed to have matches on three consecutive days. There is therefore no play scheduled on Friday and the final will be played on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz all smiles after warming up
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:30 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter arriving last night, Carlos Alcaraz has familiarised himself with the match court at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.
And he already has his eyes on Jannik Sinner...
Novak Djokovic arrives for Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:20 , Jamie BraidwoodNovak Djokovic has landed in Riyadh ahead of the Six Kings Slam, and was pictured chatting with Stefanos Tsitsipas ahead of his opening match tomorrow.
Despite his physical concerns after struggling through the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic has made it to the exhibition.
Can Taylor Fritz extend dominance over Alexander Zverev?
Wednesday 15 October 2025 17:10 , Jamie BraidwoodThe opening match of the Six Kings Slam will be contested by World No 3 Alexander Zverev and World No 4 Taylor Fritz, who has had the upper hand in their rivalry over the past couple of seasons.
The American Fritz has won his last six matches against Zverev, including in the Laver Cup last month and in the German’s own back yard in the Stuttgart final this season.
Fritz also defeated Zverev at Wimbledon and the US Open last year.
Carlos Alcaraz admits ankle injury is not '100 per cent'
Wednesday 15 October 2025 16:55 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle is still not “100 per cent” as he heads to Saudi Arabia for the Six Kings Slam.
The 22-year-old has not played since winning the Japan Open title and skipped the Shanghai Masters because of the ankle injury he picked up in his opening match in Tokyo.
“Everything’s OK. I’ve been recovering the ankle as much and as good as I can,” Alcaraz told PA, admitting it hasn’t fully healed.
“I don’t feel, I would say, 100 per cent, the doubts are there thinking about it a little bit when I’m moving on court.
“but I think it improved a lot and I’m going to compete and perform well here in the Six Kings Slam.”
Six Kings Slam reveals what the top tennis players want in 2026
Wednesday 15 October 2025 16:40 , Jamie BraidwoodAn equation of more money, fewer matches sums up problems facing the ATP Tour as the best players in the world head to Saudi Arabia for a $6m exhibition that will be shown live on Netflix.
More here:
Six Kings Slam reveals what the top tennis players want in 2026
Carlos Alcaraz explains why critics are wrong about Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 16:25 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz has argued players are misunderstood when it comes to criticism over exhibition tournaments.
Alcaraz was among those voicing criticism of the demanding tour schedule in Asia, where a number of players struggled physically, with the world No 1 saying he would consider skipping mandatory events to prioritise his health.
The Spaniard understands, therefore, why there are raised eyebrows over the Six Kings Slam, but he believes critics are wide of the mark.
Alcaraz told the PA news agency: “I think it’s a discussion that a lot of players and a lot of people are talking about with the calendar, how tight it is with a lot of tournaments and the tournaments of two weeks, and then making some, I’m going to say, excuses with exhibitions, how players are complaining about the calendar and then playing some exhibitions.”
How the Six Kings Slam prize money compares to grand slam tournaments
Wednesday 15 October 2025 16:10 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Six Kings Slam champion will win a reported $6m (£4.5m) in prize money this week. That makes the exhibition the biggest prize in tennis, and above the four grand slams. Carlos Alcaraz recently took home $5m by winning the US Open, but the Six Kings Slam champion will take home more.
Six Kings Slam: $6m (£4.5m)
US Open: $5m (£3.74m)
Wimbledon: $4m (£3m)
French Open: $2.9m (£2.17m)
Australian Open: $2.3m (£1.75m)
Novak Djokovic set to return to action at Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:55 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter reaching the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters last week, Novak Djokovic is scheduled to return to action at the Six Kings Slam, with the 38-year-old receiving a bye into the semi-finals.
Djokovic struggled physically throughout the week in Shanghai and was stunned by World No 204 and eventual champion Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this season only to lose to either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, will be determined to prove himself against his young rivals this week.
But his fitness will be a concern after his struggles with the heat and humidity in Shanghai, where his body proved to be the difference at the business end of the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz arrives at Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:40 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld No 1 Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Riyadh last night ahead of the start of the Six Kings Slam. Alcaraz has not played since winning the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he defeated Taylor Fritz to win his eighth title of an astonishing season.
Alcaraz withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to an ankle injury picked up in his opening match in Tokyo.
الشاب الذهبي واحد من أبرز نجوم الجيل الجديد 😍
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) October 14, 2025
كارلوس ألكاراز في الرياض للمشاركة بـ #SixKingsSlam 🎾🔥
The golden boy of tennis 😍
Carlos Alcaraz is in Riyadh for #SixKingsSlam 🎾🔥
تابعوا البطولة مباشرة على نتفليكس 🎥🔥
Watch the tournament live on Netflix 🎥🔥#BigTime… pic.twitter.com/BzeirWPplh
Why is Stefanos Tsitsipas included in the Six Kings Slam?
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:25 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Six Kings Slam line-up includes the world’s top-five, plus Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is currently ranked outside the top-20 in the world after a difficult season where he did not make it past the second-round of a grand slam.
But the Greek is a popular player, once tipped to be a future star, and a two-time grand slam finalist. He was called up to the replace the injured Jack Draper after he British No 1 called time on his season following the US Open.
Tsitsipas actually leads the head-to-head with Sinner 6-3, and won their last meeting in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters in 2024.
Jannik Sinner returns as defending champion
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:10 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s Six Kings Slam final, having also beaten Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The Italian took home the $6m prize amid a dominant run of form towards the end of the season that included titles at the US Open and ATP Finals.
He returns as the defending champion having retired from his third-round match at the Shanghai Open after struggling physically.
The Wimbledon champion lost in the US Open final to Alcaraz - and could come face to face with the Spaniard in Riyadh for the first time since New York.
How to watch the Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:05 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Six Kings Slam will be shown live on Netflix. It is not a ‘pay-per-view’ event and is available to Netflix customers at no additional cost.
Six Kings Slam schedule
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:02 , Jamie BraidwoodWednesday October 15
From 5:30pm BST (UK time)
Quarter-final 1: Alexander Zverev vs Taylor Fritz
Not before 7:00pm BST (UK time)
Quarter-final 2: Jannik Sinner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Thursday October 16
From 5:30pm BST (UK time)
Semi-final 1: Carlos Alcaraz vs Zverev / Fritz
Semi-final 2: Novak Djokovic vs Sinner / Tsitsipas
Six Kings Slam
Wednesday 15 October 2025 15:00 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
Tennis’s biggest-money exhibition event sees six of the sport’s superstars competing for a $4.5m first prize.
Jannik Sinner headlines the action on day one with his quarter-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, so stick with us for all the action
