Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to participate in the Six Kings Slam, men’s tennis’ latest high-profile exhibition, after being called in as a replacement for Jack Draper. The Greek star will earn a substantial fee for the Riyadh event next month. Though a valuable opportunity for Tsitsipas, the move drew backlash from fans, with many insisting other top players would have been a more fitting inclusion.
How Did Tennis Fans Respond to Stefanos Tsitsipas Joining the Six Kings Slam?
The Six Kings Slam has become a global spectacle, featuring the ANB Arena’s premier indoor setting, a lucrative prize pool, and a star-studded roster. Outside the ATP Tour, its scale and prestige make it stand out.
A key draw of the event is its massive prize money. All six players, including Tsitsipas, are guaranteed $1.5 million just for showing up, while the champion will claim an extra $4.5 million, bringing the total winnings to an eye-popping $6 million.
Tsitsipas was called in as a replacement for World No. 7 Jack Draper, who will miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a left-arm injury that forced him to withdraw from the US Open. Check out Tsitsipas’ post below:
Surprise, surprise!
Excited to compete in the Six Kings Slam next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/wgVZO97pgW
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) September 17, 2025
However, many fans were critical of Tsitsipas’ inclusion, often citing his current ATP ranking to justify their views. One even suggested American youngster and World No. 6 Ben Shelton, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, as a more deserving choice.
“was ben shelton not available or what 😭😭😭 girl even de minaur would make more sense than fucking tsitsipas ommggg 😭😭😭💀💀,” they said.
was ben shelton not available or what 😭😭😭 girl even de minaur would make more sense than fucking tsitsipas ommggg 😭😭😭💀💀 https://t.co/fuAQF0Yy8h pic.twitter.com/xZFylJpygs
— 🪜 (@0inthecity) September 17, 2025
This season has largely been inconsistent for the Greek, highlighted by several early exits aside from his Dubai triumph. He now sits at No. 27 in the ATP rankings.
“This is actually outrageous. The guy is like 30 in the world,” another chimed in.
“Haha, Tsitsipas this season is everything but king 😂 I’m just scared how badly he can lose here,” one commented.
Another fan doubted Tsitsipas’ inclusion, noting 22 players were ranked higher in the ATP rankings.
“There are 22 people ahead of Tsitsipas. It’s interesting to see what the organizers were thinking, considering that Tsitsipas can lose to anyone (including a qualifier),” they said.
There are 22 people ahead of Tsitsipas. It’s interesting to see what the organizers were thinking, considering that Tsitsipas can lose to anyone (including a qualifier).
— Dawid Es (@es_dawid) September 18, 2025
“Guess they wanted to save some money this year,” one weighed in.
Another fan backed World No. 12 Casper Ruud as a replacement, predicting a challenging tournament ahead for Tsitsipas in the star-studded Six Kings Slam.
“Why not Ruud? He is a slam finalist too and is top 12 currently, Tsitsipas is set to lose badly with everyone in thus list,” they wrote.
It’s worth noting that fan backlash over player selections for the Riyadh event is nothing new. Last year, many questioned the inclusion of Danish youngster Holger Rune.
The Six Kings Slam, part of Saudi Arabia’s annual Riyadh Season, does not enforce strict eligibility rules for its lineup. This year, tennis stars Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz will also take the court.