Six Kings Slam Tennis Tournament Postponed to December Following Riyadh Security Concerns
Saudi Arabia postpones the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament to December 27-30 amid major security concerns following deadly attacks in Riyadh.
POLICY WIRE — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Organisers announced on Wednesday that the high-profile Six Kings Slam tennis tournament has been postponed to December 27–30, shifting away from its original October schedule as mounting security concerns grip the kingdom.
The decision follows a recent strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday that resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left more than 300 individuals wounded. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the incident, marking the deadliest attack to strike Saudi Arabia in over ten years.
According to an official statement, event organizers explained that the new dates reflect Riyadh Season’s dedication to staging athletic competitions under optimal conditions. They noted that the adjustment followed a careful evaluation of organizational and logistical hurdles tied to the event and their potential toll on the audience experience.
Prior to the delay, tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz were lined up to compete from October 21–24. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner had already pulled out of the competition due to an injury.
The exhibition competition regularly attracts the world’s leading athletes largely due to its massive prize purses. In 2024, Alcaraz openly admitted that financial incentives influenced his participation after securing $1.5 million across a four-day span.
Recent violence has cast a shadow over upcoming sporting events across the nation. Golf’s Asian Tour stated that it is closely monitoring the security environment ahead of the upcoming Saudi International scheduled in Riyadh next month.
Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the Asian Cup in soccer for the first time in 2027, serving as a critical milestone prior to organizing the 2034 World Cup. Additionally, the country is set to stage the FIFAe World Cup esports series in Jeddah from October 16–25.
However, safety apprehensions have already prompted swift reactions from international sports bodies. The Japan Football Association confirmed it will skip the event following a thorough review of local safety conditions, while Football Australia noted its security team is actively evaluating the situation.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
