There are worries about Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev playing in the 2026 Six Kings Slam because airports and travelers are being seen as possible targets.
There are big questions about whether Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev will play in the 2026 Six Kings Slam. The tournament is planned for October 21-24 at the Anb Arena in Riyadh, but after a deadly attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, people are waiting to hear if the event will still happen.
All flights were rerouted after the attack, which sadly killed at least 12 people and injured over 300 when militants struck the airport. The attack was carried out by the Houthis, who have been increasing their attacks in Saudi Arabia recently.
This is part of the ongoing civil war in Yemen, where the government (backed by Saudi Arabia) fights the Houthis (supported by Iran). This war has lasted more than ten years, causing many deaths and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
With tensions still high just over a week before the Six Kings Slam, the future of the event is unclear, especially after the Houthis warned airlines and passengers to avoid Saudi airports because they might be attacked again.
Everyone is now looking to the event organizers for an official update. The tournament was set to start on Wednesday, October 21, with Zverev playing Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals, and Learner Tien facing Alex de Minaur in the other. Alcaraz and Djokovic were given spots directly in the semi-finals, with Alcaraz set to play the winner of Zverev vs. Fritz, and Djokovic waiting for the winner between Tien and de Minaur.
This will be the third time the Six Kings Slam is held. Jannik Sinner won the first two but has had to pull out this year because of injury. Tien will take his place. So, Sinner will lose his title unless the event is canceled due to the recent conflict.
While the tournament is expected to go ahead despite the situation, everyone is waiting for confirmation. If it does happen, the six tennis stars will earn $1.5 million just for showing up. The winner will get $6 million, meaning Sinner has already made $12 million from his wins in 2024 and 2025.
So, winning the trophy brings a huge prize— $45 million more than what the quarter-finalists receive. Everyone is hoping for news soon about whether the exciting tournament will still take place.