With the Six Kings Slam fast approaching, a significant update regarding World No. 2 and defending champion Jannik Sinner has left fans fuming. The newly released schedule of the high-profile exhibition event shows Sinner missing out on a coveted semifinal berth, which didn’t go well with fans online.
The Six Kings Slam has cemented its status as a global spectacle, featuring the elite of men’s tennis. The 2025 edition will showcase World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who recently stepped in for Jack Draper.
How Did Fans React to the Six Kings Slam Schedule Featuring Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic?
While the event typically showcases the biggest names in men’s tennis, it doesn’t follow strict eligibility rules. Traditionally, two players are guaranteed semifinal spots, and that privilege is reserved for Alcaraz and Djokovic this year. Sinner, who claimed last year’s title and a staggering $6 million prize, will have to start from the quarterfinals instead.
Sinner will face Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, and the winner will square off against Djokovic in the semifinals. On the other hand, the victor of Zverev vs. Fritz will clash with Alcaraz.
The update, however, wasn’t welcomed by the netizens with open arms, and one wrote:
“let’s just flop this stupid ass tournament it’s not like u need money for lawyers anymore.”
“I don’t understand this… Shouldn’t last year’s champion be given a bye?,” another chimed in.
“They were always on the verge of tallying last year’s match in the head-to-heads, and now they say this farce should be skipped because they didn’t get the “bye,” you can’t make this stuff up,” one fan pointed out.
Another fan noted that, as last year’s finalists, Sinner and Alcaraz rightly deserved automatic semifinal spots this year.
“Why are Novak and Alcaraz always playing in the semi-finals? And why not Sinner?” one questioned.
While many fans criticized the tournament draw, one defended it, highlighting that Alcaraz and Djokovic earned their semifinal spots thanks to their superior Grand Slam records.
“Why are few Sinner fans crying in the quote tweets ?? They have basically placed the two guys in SFs with most Grand Slams & Carlos is also world no.1 . Also a match against Tsitsipas is as good as being in the SFs. So chill !!!”
Fans have repeatedly voiced their opinions on Six Kings Slam decisions, recently criticizing Stefanos Tsitsipas’ inclusion, and last year expressing similar concerns over Holger Rune.
The Six Kings Slam kicks off on Oct. 15 at Riyadh’s ANB Arena, with each participant, including Sinner, guaranteed $1.5 million just for appearing. The champion takes home an additional $4.5 million, pushing total prize money to a staggering $6 million.
