Security Fears Force a Major Rescheduling
The Six Kings Slam, one of tennis's most lucrative exhibition events, will no longer take place in Riyadh this month. Organizers confirmed the postponement on Wednesday, moving the tournament from its original October 21 to 24 window all the way to December 27 to 30. The decision came in the wake of a series of deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport last Saturday that killed 13 people and left more than 300 injured. The venue for the Six Kings Slam, the ANB Arena, sits roughly 31 kilometers from that same airport.
In a statement shared with media outlets, the organizers cited the organizational and logistical challenges tied to hosting a major sporting event under such conditions, framing the move as a step to protect the quality of the experience for fans and participants alike. The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, also targeted Saudi oil and gas infrastructure, prompting the kingdom's energy minister to promise a firm response.
A Star-Studded Field Waits Until Winter
The six players confirmed for the 2026 edition are Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Learner Tien. Each competing player is set to earn around 1.2 million pounds, with an additional 3.5 million pounds waiting for the winner. Jannik Sinner, who took the title in both previous editions, is currently sidelined with a knee injury and is not part of this year's lineup.
The regional unrest is also affecting other sports, with several Saudi Pro League matches postponed and golf's Asian Tour monitoring conditions ahead of November's Saudi International in Riyadh. TennisDraw users tracking the Six Kings Slam bracket will want to update their picks with the new late-December schedule in mind.
