Saudi Arabia has so far been denied by the ATP, a Masters level event on their shores so they have decided, as is their want, to buy their way into tennis as they have done in football, boxing and other sports.
It’s an incredible event, we’ve been talking about it since the US Open, and I can’t believe this event is happening Greg Rusedski
The result is the Six Kings Slam now being played in Riyadh with a more than impressive line-up of Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune all of whom have been guaranteed a minimum of one-million US dollars whilst the overall winner will pick up a reported US$4.1 million.
Not everyone has welcomed this exhibition event at a time when one of the major topics of conversation are the length of the professional calendar which has led to so many injuries in many people’s views.
But Greg Rusedski is very much in favour of it as he told the DAZN sport streaming TC network.
“It’s just unbelievable to think about it, you have two of the all-time greats,” the former British No.1 said.
“Probably the two best players in the history of our sport,” he added referring to Nadal and Djokovic.
And then turning to the younger generation, he continued: “You have the young bucks coming up, Alcaraz and Sinner, who shared all four majors this year.
“Let’s not forget Daniil Medvedev, [former] world number one, a slam winner, and Holger Rune, the guy that everybody thinks is going to be part of the mix.
“It’s an incredible event, we’ve been talking about it since the US Open, and I can’t believe this event is happening.”
It must be stressed that it is an exhibition event with no ranking points at stake, only prize money.
It is also a straight knockout event and started on Wednesday when two matches were played with the winners going through to the semi-finals where Djokovic and Nadal await having been given first round byes.
Nadal’s appearance following his recent announcement of retirement after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, is perhaps surprising but he has always loved a challenge and he certainly will have one when he faces Alcaraz on Thursday after the young Spaniard swept Holger Rune aside 6-4 6-2 yesterday.
In the other match played Sinner beat Medvedev 6-0 6-3 and as a reward, will play Djokovic and there can be no denying that the semi-final line-up is mouth-watering prospect!
Carlos Alcaraz (R) following his win over Holger Rune
(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Alcaraz is certainly excited at playing his idol and promises to give his all against the 38-year-old icon of the game.
“I’m going to go full power,” the 21-year-old Alcaraz said prior to their match. “I’m not surprised he’s practising and he’s 100%, hitting the ball super hard, feeling the ball really well.
“I’m not surprised at all, because of the player he is, the legend he is. It doesn’t matter that he stayed away from tennis for three, four months. He’s going to come back stronger than ever before.
“So I’m going to try to play good tennis if I want to beat him, but I’m going to go full without fear.
“I grew up watching him. He was my idol, is still my idol. It is a shame that he announced that he’s going to retire from tennis. He’s a really important person for my life, for my career,
“He was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player, so knowing that he’s going to retire from tennis is pretty tough for everyone, for me.
“So I don’t know if it is a privilege, playing against him once again or if it’s going to be tough for me. But I will try to enjoy sharing the court with him once again, but I think it’s really difficult for everyone.”
The second semi is equally engrossing with the current world No.1 taking on the 24-record holding grand slam winner who was beaten by Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final a few days ago. Currently the Italian is the player to beat, whatever the event, as Medvedev discovered to his shame on Wednesday!
Jannik Sinner (L) and Daniil Medvedev pose prior to their match
(Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
“It was a very good performance considering I arrived just a couple days ago, not even. And I only had one practice session,” Sinner said after overwhelming the Russian.
“It’s obviously a very nice moment for me. I worked very hard in my very young career to be in this position, and this is from many, many years of work.
“This is what I love about being a tennis player, now I can enjoy every moment.”
Exhibition or not, the next few days could provide some exciting tennis for those fortunate enough to watch it.
