Stefanos Tsitsipas’ 2025 season hasn’t gone to plan as he continues to slide further down the rankings.
After Tsitsipas lost in the second round of the US Open, he chose to return at the Davis Cup for Greece’s match against Brazil.
Winning his first match against Thiago Seyboth Wild, Tsitsipas then fell to Joao Fonseca in his second, as Greece lost the tie 3-1.
Reaggravating a back injury in Athens, Tsitsipas subsequently withdrew from the upcoming China Open ATP 500 event.
He has, however, now been announced as a participant for a big-money exhibition event next month, an interesting move for a player recovering from injury…
Stefanos Tsitsipas joins the line-up for Saudi Arabia’s Six Kings Slam
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas took to social media on Wednesday evening, sharing some big news.
“Surprise, surprise,” he said.
“Excited to compete in the Six Kings Slam next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”
Tsitsipas will replace Jack Draper in Saudi Arabia, following the Brit’s withdrawal due to injury.
| Player | Country | ATP Rank |
| Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 1 |
| Jannik Sinner | Italy | 2 |
| Alexander Zvererv | Germany | 3 |
| Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4 |
| Taylor Fritz | USA | 5 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | Greece | 27 |
The Six Kings Slam is a three-day exhibition event, which was held for the first time in 2024.
A year ago, Jannik Sinner rose to the top, claiming the multi-million dollar prize in Riyadh.
2024 Six Kings Slam results
- Quarterfinals
- Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev, 6-0, 6-3
- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Holger Rune, 6-4, 6-2
- Novak Djokovic received a BYE
- Rafael Nadal received a BYE
- Semifinals
- Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3
- Third-place match
- Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 7-6
- Final
- Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3
With $6 million on the line, you can’t blame Tsitsipas for accepting the invitation to the event, although the decision still seems strange, considering he’s struggling with injury.
Resting up and focusing on rediscovering his ATP Tour form may have made more sense, with the Greek athlete at risk of exiting the world’s top 30.
Missing the China Open, Tsitsipas is scheduled to return at the Shanghai Masters before heading to the Middle East for his Six Kings Slam debut.
However, on the flip side, there is the potential for Tsitsipas to prove all of his doubters wrong in Saudi Arabia, entering the tournament as a big underdog.
A Six Kings Slam win could boost Stefanos Tsitsipas’ confidence
The world’s top five players will all head to Saudi Arabia for the Six Kings Slam, joined by world number 27, Tsitsipas.
His ranking sticks out, and not for the right reasons, although that could work in his favor.
Competing as the underdog, the pressure will be off Tsitsipas to win the event, potentially allowing him to play with more freedom.
The surface could also suit Tsitsipas, having picked up the biggest win of his career on indoor hard courts back in 2019.
Tsitsipas won the ATP Finals six years ago, defeating Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer, and Dominic Thiem en route to the title in London.
The chances are he won’t be heading to the finals this year, though, having struggled for form all season long.
Only time will tell if Tsitsipas can produce a shock result or two at the Six Kings Slam and help him rebuild confidence ahead of the 2026 season.
The 2025 Six Kings Slam is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 15.
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