The key facts

  • Six Kings Slam in Riyadh moved from October to December 27–30 due to Houthi attacks
  • Sinner has not competed since his Wimbledon win in July and hinted at participation with an Instagram poster
  • Djokovic, Zverev and possibly Alcaraz are also expected; the 2027 Dakar Rally was canceled or postponed

Sinner to return in Riyadh

World No. 1 Italian Jannik Sinner, according to AFP, has signaled his return to the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh. The 25-year-old tennis player has not competed since his Wimbledon victory in July due to injury, and, as the agency noted, he had appeared set to miss this tournament as well. On Monday, Sinner posted on his Instagram the event poster featuring his image, the tournament name and dates — without any additional comment.

Rescheduling due to the conflict with the Houthis

The tournament, originally scheduled for October, has been moved to late December — organizers plan to hold it on December 27–30 — because of the conflict with Yemen's Houthis. AFP also recalls that the 2027 Dakar Rally became the latest sporting event in Saudi Arabia to be canceled, postponed or rescheduled due to Houthi attacks and the US–Iran war that broke out in February.

Field of participants and Sinner's form

Alongside Sinner, the tournament is expected to feature 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev — winner of this season's Roland Garros and US Open — and, possibly, seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz. The context of Sinner's return is also telling: his 2026 win rate of 94% is the best of his career, higher even than his figures in the two previous seasons, in each of which he won two majors and the ATP Finals.