Sinner Returns to Six Kings Slam in December
Last updated: 28 October 2026.
Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title in Riyadh in December. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, confirmed on Monday 26 October 2026 that the two-time champion is back in the field for the third edition, which plays on 27, 28 and 30 December 2026 as part of Riyadh Season 2026.
Readers following the season from our Boulevard Riyadh home page will have seen the field listed without Sinner since the October postponement. That listing is now out of date, and this article sets out what changed, who plays, and how to watch.
What changed
Sinner withdrew from the October dates through a knee injury, and Learner Tien was named as his replacement. Turki Alalshikh announced the postponement on 14 October 2026, moving the third edition to December. On Monday 26 October, Alalshikh posted the updated field on X, with Sinner back in it, and Sinner reposted the announcement on his own social media. The move restores the defending champion and removes Tien from the field.
The change matters because Sinner has won both editions held so far. He beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final in 2024 and again in 2025. No other player in the field has lifted this trophy, so his return puts the title defence back at the centre of the event.
The six players in Riyadh
The confirmed field for December is Sinner, Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur. De Minaur makes his Six Kings Slam debut, while Fritz returns after finishing third last year.
| Player | Record at this event |
| Jannik Sinner | Champion in 2024 and 2025 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | Runner-up in 2024 and 2025 |
| Novak Djokovic | Played in 2024 and 2025, chasing a first title here |
| Alexander Zverev | Played in 2025 |
| Taylor Fritz | Third place in 2025, second appearance |
| Alex de Minaur | Debut in 2026 |
The six players carry a combined 38 Grand Slam titles between them, according to Arab News. Djokovic holds 24 of those majors, which makes him the most decorated man in the field, even though this trophy has eluded him so far.
Why the December dates made the return possible
Injury forced Sinner out of the October event, and on 6 October he announced that his season was over. The rescheduled December dates gave him the extra weeks he needed, and the new dates mean he can now defend his title in Riyadh. The tournament is an exhibition, so results do not count toward ATP rankings, which makes it a lower-stakes return ahead of the Australian season.
Sinner confirmed the news himself by reposting Alalshikh’s announcement. That matters for fans because the earlier withdrawal had been presented as season-ending, and the December window is what reopened the door.
How to watch and attend
Every match streams live exclusively on Netflix, for the second consecutive year, at no extra cost to subscribers. The playing days are 27, 28 and 30 December 2026, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. Ticket and venue detail is in our Six Kings Slam guide, which also covers travel to the arena.
What the return changes
With Sinner back, the 2026 edition keeps its central storyline: the champion defending against the same rival who lost both finals. For Alcaraz, the return sets up a third straight final meeting if both men reach the last match. For Djokovic, it adds another obstacle to a first title here. For de Minaur, a debut now comes against the full field rather than a replacement lineup.
For the wider season, the news firms up the December calendar. Our Riyadh Season 2026 hub carries the full list of December events, and our Six Kings Slam third edition guide covers the build-up in full.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jannik Sinner playing the Six Kings Slam 2026?
Yes. Turki Alalshikh confirmed on 26 October 2026 that Sinner is back in the field. He won the event in 2024 and 2025, so he returns as the defending champion for the 27, 28 and 30 December edition in Riyadh.
When is the Six Kings Slam 2026?
Matches take place on 27, 28 and 30 December 2026 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, as part of Riyadh Season 2026. The event was postponed from October 2026 and now closes the tennis year in December.
Is Learner Tien still in the field?
No. Tien was named as Sinner’s replacement after the injury withdrawal, but he drops out now that Sinner has returned. The six players are Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Zverev, Fritz and de Minaur.
How can I watch the Six Kings Slam?
Every match streams live exclusively on Netflix, for the second consecutive year, at no extra cost to subscribers. Ticket and venue detail is in our Six Kings Slam guide, which also covers travel to the ANB Arena.