Jannik Sinner Comments On the Possibility of a Saudi Arabia Grand Slam: “This Country is Going To Be Very Important For Us”

Jannik Sinner will play atleast 3 more ATP events in 2025.


Jannik Sinner Comments On the Possibility of a Saudi Arabia Grand Slam: “This Country is Going To Be Very Important For Us”

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Jannik Sinner believes Saudi Arabia will play a major role in the future of tennis after earning $6 million for winning three matches at the Six Kings Slam. The event, launched last year, has become one of the country’s biggest sporting showcases.

The exhibition tournament offers massive payouts for limited play, drawing top stars such as Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The prize money Sinner received was larger than any Grand Slam winner’s check this season.

When asked if Saudi Arabia could one day stage a Grand Slam, Sinner did not dismiss the idea. He said the country is becoming increasingly important for tennis and could have a bigger role in the sport’s future. Sinner said in the press conference:

I don’t know. I don’t know how big it can be, although it’s already made history for other reasons. For myself, I’m looking forward to coming back because it’s great to be here, playing in different circumstances with different people. I think this country is going to be very important for us in the future, that’s for sure…I’m curious to see how everything develops in the future. I can’t predict what will happen, but we’re all hoping for something positive.

While critics have accused the event of being part of Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing efforts, players have continued to participate. Amnesty International has called the nation a “Kingdom of Repression,” but its influence in tennis keeps expanding. The Saudi Public Investment Fund now sponsors the ATP rankings, and Riyadh is set to host the WTA Finals.

Jannik Sinner handed difficult Vienna Open draw

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner returns to ATP Tour competition after his huge Six Kings Slam victory in Riyadh, where he once again defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The Italian earned $6 million from the exhibition event, combining his participation fee and winner’s prize.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Now, Sinner shifts focus to the Vienna Open, where the rewards are far smaller. The ATP 500 champion in Austria will take home €511,835 ($596,649), while the runner-up will earn €275,390 ($321,023). For Sinner, the priority is not the money but the ranking points that could help him chase Alcaraz for the year-end No. 1 spot.

Alcaraz currently holds a 2,540-point advantage in the Race to Turin, meaning Sinner must win all three of his remaining events — Vienna, Paris, and the ATP Finals — to stay in contention. The challenge is steep, but the Italian remains determined.

At the Vienna Open, Sinner begins his campaign against Daniel Altmaier. If he advances, he will meet either Tomas Machac or Flavio Cobolli. A potential quarter-final clash could come against Alexander Bublik, whom Sinner leads 5-2 in head-to-head meetings.

Jannik Sinner outplays Carlos Alcaraz

Italian star Jannik Sinner defeated top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz to capture the Six Kings Slam title on Sunday, winning 6-2, 6-4 in a commanding performance. The Italian broke Alcaraz in the opening game and never lost control, sealing the match in just over 90 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (5)
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Sinner looked sharp throughout, finishing the season on a high note in his growing rivalry with the Spaniard. After the match, he said it was a pleasure to share the court with Alcaraz and that he hopes to carry the same form into future tournaments.

Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, pushed hard to shift the momentum but was unable to break Sinner’s rhythm. The Italian earned a crucial break at 3-3 in the second set and calmly served out the match to claim the trophy.

Earlier in the evening, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic retired from the third-place playoff after dropping the opening set to Taylor Fritz. The American prevailed 7-6 (7-5), earning his first career win over Djokovic in 12 meetings.

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