Another American joins Six Kings Slam as Jannik Sinner's replacement in Saudi Arabia is confirmed

Wednesday, 07 October 2026 at 19:00

Learner Tien with his runner-up trophy alongside Jannik Sinner.

Another American will join the Six Kings Slam field in Saudi Arabia after Jannik Sinner's withdrawal from the exhibition was officially addressed. The Italian will miss the event after deciding to end his 2026 season early because of his ongoing knee problem, bringing an abrupt end to a year in which he won Wimbledon but has not played since the final.

The Six Kings Slam organizers have confirmed that American youngster Learner Tien will take Sinner's place at the third edition of the exhibition, which will take place at The Venue in Riyadh on October 21, 22 and 24. The 20-year-old has quickly established himself among the most promising young players in American tennis.

Tien has reached a career-high No. 12 in the ATP rankings and has already produced several notable victories against established stars. His breakthrough came at the 2025 Australian Open, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in five sets, before adding wins over players such as Alexander Zverev during his rapid rise through the rankings.

The American will make his Six Kings Slam debut in a field featuring some of the biggest names in men's tennis. Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are among the players expected in Riyadh, while the tournament will now have another young American contender after Sinner's withdrawal changed the original lineup.

Six Kings Slam confirms Sinner replacement

Sinner's withdrawal created a difficult situation for the Six Kings Slam organizers because the Italian had been expected to compete despite not playing since the Wimbledon final. His decision to end his season also rules him out of the Vienna ATP 500, Paris Masters and ATP Finals, making Riyadh another event lost because of his knee problem.

Finding a replacement was not straightforward because of the ATP Tour calendar. Under men's tennis rules, a player who withdraws from an ATP tournament cannot compete in another tournament or special event during the same week. Violating those restrictions can result in financial penalties and the loss of significant amounts from the end-of-season Bonus Pool.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner smile together with their trophies after the 2025 Six Kings Slam final.

That left the organizers with a limited pool of potential replacements, particularly because several leading players are already committed to ATP tournaments during the same period. Tien ultimately emerged as the solution, giving the American an opportunity to compete in one of the most lucrative and high-profile exhibition events on the tennis calendar.

Tien has already demonstrated that he can compete against the sport's established stars. After defeating Medvedev at the 2025 Australian Open, he recorded another major victory over Zverev and reached the final of the 2025 Beijing Open, where he faced Sinner. His 2026 season then continued with a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals.

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Tien could face Djokovic as De Miñaur's fitness raises questions

Tien is scheduled to face Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals in Riyadh, with Djokovic potentially waiting in the semifinals. That part of the draw could still change, however, because De Minaur suffered an injury during the Beijing final against Djokovic, leaving some uncertainty over whether the Australian will be able to compete in Saudi Arabia.

If De Minaur is forced to withdraw, the Six Kings Slam organizers could face another replacement dilemma only days after finding a solution to Sinner's absence. The situation is particularly notable because the tournament is already taking place outside the traditional ATP calendar, meaning the pool of immediately available top players can be limited.

Tien arrives with increasingly strong credentials despite being considerably less established than several of his Six Kings Slam opponents. He has already won two ATP titles, taking the trophies in Metz in 2025 and Geneva in 2026, while his Australian Open run this year gave him his first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.

The event will give the American another chance to test himself against the biggest names in the sport. At just 20, Tien has moved rapidly from promising prospect to a player capable of competing consistently at the highest level, and facing Djokovic or another elite opponent in Riyadh would provide another significant measure of his progress.

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Sinner, meanwhile, will now focus entirely on recovering from his knee problem and preparing for the 2027 season. His withdrawal means he will not defend his Six Kings Slam title, having beaten Alcaraz in the final in both 2024 and 2025, while the tournament has been forced to adjust its lineup.

The Six Kings Slam has therefore found its replacement for Sinner, but the Riyadh field may not yet be completely settled. If De Minaur cannot recover from his Beijing injury in time, the organizers could once again be searching for a player to fill a vacant spot shortly before the event begins.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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