Carlos Alcaraz to Compete at Erste Bank Open in Vienna After Six Kings Slam Postponement

Carlos Alcaraz will compete at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna for the second time since 2021, after the “Six Kings Slam” in Riyadh was postponed to December. The seven-time Grand Slam champion’s participation in Vienna was confirmed by tournament director Herwig Straka, who stated, “Dann ist alles sehr rasch gegangen und Carlos hat ohne großes Zögern für Wien zugesagt. Das ist eine große Auszeichnung für unser Turnier.” The event, scheduled from 24 October to 1 November 2026, marks Alcaraz’s first appearance in Austria since 2021.

The shift to Vienna follows the postponement of the “Six Kings Slam,” which was originally set for 21–24 October. Basel’s tournament director, Roger Brennwald, acknowledged the decision, saying, “Da können wir nicht mithalten.” Basel’s Swiss Indoors event, which last featured Alcaraz in 2022, had previously operated under a “Gentleman’s Agreement” for his potential return, but that arrangement did not materialize.

Alcaraz Confirms Participation in Vienna After Event Postponement

Alcaraz’s inclusion in the Erste Bank Open field was arranged swiftly after the Saudi Arabian exhibition event’s rescheduling. Tournament organizers highlighted the importance of his presence, with Straka describing the lineup as 'ein Wahnsinn' in an ORF interview. Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the world, will enter the tournament as the second seed, trailing Alexander Zverev. His first match is scheduled for 27 October, with the event offering a prize pool of 2.797.985 euros.

Six top-ten players will compete in Vienna, including Zverev (ATP-2.), Daniil Medvedev (RUS/6.), Flavio Cobolli (ITA/7.), Alex de Minaur (AUS/9.), and Frances Tiafoe (USA/10.). The tournament also features Alcaraz’s recent Tokyo Open triumph, where he defeated Jiri Lehecka in two sets after recovering from a wrist injury. This victory marked his third title of the year, following wins at the Australian Open and Doha.

Basel’s Reaction to Lost Opportunity

Basel’s tournament director, Roger Brennwald, expressed understanding of Alcaraz’s decision, saying, “Wenn Jannik Sinner in Wien absagt, dann gehe ich davon aus, dass ein größerer finanzieller Posten wieder zur Verfügung steht,” Brennwald told the Blick, highlighting the financial disparity between the tournaments.

Top-Ten Competition and Zverev’s Ambitions

However, dealing with a challenging draw is necessary, as Medvedev, Cobolli, de Minaur, and Tiafoe also compete.