Jannik Sinner ignited a heated discussion when he claimed that his participation in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event was not motivated by the financial rewards.
As the current world No. 1, Sinner pocketed an astonishing $7.5 million from the Riyadh event earlier this month, comprising a $6 million prize for winning and an additional $1.5 million appearance fee. This eye-popping sum drew scrutiny, with many pointing out that it far exceeded the earnings of even seasoned players at Grand Slam tournaments. In fact, Sinner’s payout for just three matches surpassed what many athletes earn over their entire careers.
Despite the hefty payday, the Italian star emphasized that his focus was on the competition rather than the cash. “I don’t play for money. It’s very simple,” Sinner stated in a social media clip that quickly went viral. He added, “Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything, but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. And then you can measure yourself with them.”
He also noted the personal significance of the event, mentioning, “It was also a nice event for me. It was the first time I went to Riyadh, and it was nice. When you come back as a winner, for me, it was more that I played the matches in the right way, and this hopefully can improve me as a player in the future.”
In response to Sinner’s remarks, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka reacted with a laughing emoji on X, while Roger Federer’s former coach, Paul Annacone, weighed in during a segment on the Tennis Channel. Annacone argued that Sinner shouldn’t feel the need to apologize for accepting such substantial sums in an exhibition setting.
“Look, it’s a big business,” Annacone said. “I don’t think he plays solely for money. Obviously, he has much more integrity than that. But just like any other major business, there is a price for players to participate in specific events at certain times of the year. Sure, it was a chance to compete against the best players, but it was also a savvy business decision on his part.”
He further explained, “There’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t think he needs to defend whether he’s playing for money or not. The way he expressed it sounds ironic. This is something we always discuss regarding top players—there’s a lot of money floating around.”
Looking ahead, Sinner expressed his interest in returning for the Six Kings Slam in 2025, and with the financial stakes involved, it’s likely that more tennis events will emerge in Saudi Arabia in the future. Reports have surfaced suggesting that both the Miami Open and Madrid Open tournaments may be on the market, with potential Saudi investment on the table.
Moreover, the ATP and WTA Tours have confirmed their openness to investments from Saudi Arabia, which may render criticisms of players like Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune for participating in the Six Kings Slam somewhat misplaced, especially if tennis organizations pursue closer ties with the kingdom.