Preview Six Kings Slam: Riyadh plays host as Nadal's farewell begins

The Six Kings Slam is upon us which takes place between October 16-19 in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season which is put together by Turki Alalshikh. Our preview looks ahead to the star studded exhibition.

Starting on October 16, it will see Six Kings of sorts face off. Led by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal who receive byes already through to the semi-finals. It will then compile the rest of the so called Six Kings in order to find their way through. Led by the next generation of sorts in Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and also Holger Rune.

Daniil Medvedev was an injury doubt coming into this weekend with a shoulder problem attained in China. But he is ready to play seemingly and has travelled in Riyadh. Likely part of that is the huge prize money wedge which is on offer to those involved in Riyadh.

Awaiting the winner is $6,000,000 which is double the amount given to the winner of the US Open. $1,500,000 is given merely just for turning up in Saudi Arabia as they flaunt their wealth and resources to bring the top tennis talents to Riyadh Season.

Doing so in boxing for instance, they have been duly noted for breaching promotional divides and those not wanting to work with each other. Rafael Nadal in particular is the standout star involved for his recent announcement which means it could be the last singles match he plays in theory. He will retire at the Davis Cup Finals next month and will hope to be ready to play Botic van de Zandschulp for Netherlands. But in reality, it could fall on another player selected to David Ferrer and he could yet just be relied on to team with Carlos Alcaraz in their famous Nadalcaraz tandem.

It also helps to circumnavigate ATP rules. Exhibitions are often not played over a few days as they cannot play on three days in a row. They will instead play on two days and then continue from there on the Sunday with the finals. This means too that with Djokovic and Nadal as the leading kings due to Grand Slams won won't play until Thursday.

Djokovic could face Jannik Sinner again after their epic Shanghai Masters duel. While Carlos Alcaraz could face his compatriot Nadal in an all Spanish affair likely for the last time aside from other exhibitions. So while there might be opinions surrounding the use of exhibitions in an already stacked calendar, the world will likely tune in to watch this tournament.

Fans can watch the tournament for free completely through subscription platform DAZN. They are official partners of Riyadh Season with all. of their events being shown on there.

But otherwise in boxing, other platforms have struck details fighter dependent so it is interesting that it will be exclusively on DAZN. It will begin at around 18:30 CET on Wednesday evening with the Medvedev-Sinner clash before Rune-Alcaraz. No such format has been given in terms of sets but likely it will follow the format of main tournaments in a Best of Three for time purposes.

For those not wanting to watch the Six Kings Slam, these six stars will likely be in action again during the Paris Masters and then subsequently the ATP Finals.

Aside from Rune who won't qualify as well as Nadal who of course will retire. They will also of course for Sinner and Nadal in particular play Davis Cup in the coming weeks. Djokovic himself has pledged to be there in Malaga with Serbia not qualified so he won't get his duel with Sinner again like last year.

But it does beg the question about the schedule. Alcaraz in particular has been very vocal about the toll that it takes on the top stars whilst also chasing the cash and playing Laver Cup and a full Asian swing.

Sinner has taken more of a nonplussed view on it and that it is very much his job so he doesn't particularly mind. The only issue he had was the proximity of the ATP Finals to the Davis Cup which is the same for the WTA stars between Riyadh and Malaga. But this perhaps gleams a future which sees the top stars take the Saudi money over playing regular tournaments as well as the constant chatter about a takeover in the sport akin to LIV.

This is likely the start of a lot more involvement in the country and with Nadal retiring but remaining an ambassador, he likely stays involved in the sport and plays matches away from the professional guise unlike Roger Federer.

But also it has been done before of sorts with the Diriyah Cup being played as an end of season exhibition as well as the World Tennis League. Daniil Medvedev in particular has won it before and so will speak highly of his time in the country.

Setting the blueprint for the future and also enclosing the off season that tennis players crave. A lot has been made about players having a short life cycle post Djokovic, Nadal and Federer so for many it will be make your money while you can. So more opportunities likely present themselves.