Jannik Sinner is set to return to competitive tennis at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following an extended absence due to a right knee injury. The event, which was postponed from its original October dates, is now scheduled to take place from December 27 to 30, 2026, Corriere della Sera reported. Sinner confirmed his participation via a post on his Instagram account, a move mirrored by an official announcement from Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Royal Court Advisor and Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. Sinner, who currently holds the world number one ranking, faces a potential shift in that status next week, with Alexander Zverev favored to overtake him.
Sinner Returns After Knee Injury Rehabilitation
Sinner’s return to the court marks the end of a hiatus that began in July. His last official appearance was his second victory at Wimbledon before he opted to pause his season to focus on rehabilitation. Following his initial withdrawal from the tournament on October 6, 2026, due to the knee injury that forced him to end his season early, the Italian star has spent the intervening weeks focusing on physical rehabilitation in Monte Carlo, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The decision to shift the exhibition tournament to late December provided a window for Sinner to re-enter the field, with the athlete currently working with his coaching team—Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi—to finalize his preparation for the upcoming season, starting with the Australian circuit.
🚨 Jannik Sinner will return to tennis at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh on December 27th 🎾The world No. 1 has been absent from the tour since his Wimbledon triumph in July. pic.twitter.com/BgfpBogQhI
The Six Kings Slam Field and Format
The updated tournament roster includes a high-profile lineup alongside Sinner: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Sascha Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Alex De Minaur. Corriere della Sera noted that with Sinner’s confirmed attendance, the organizer’s contingency plan to use American player Learner Tien as a substitute is no longer required. The tournament structure reportedly features a bye for both Djokovic and Alcaraz. Sinner is expected to debut on December 27 against De Minaur, with the winner of that match advancing to face Djokovic. The tournament semifinals are scheduled for December 28, with the final taking place on December 30.
Six Kings Slam Offers Six Million Dollars
The Six Kings Slam is a high-stakes exhibition, with significant financial incentives for the participants. According to Corriere della Sera, the winner of the event stands to earn six million dollars, with a participation fee of 1.5 million dollars per player. Sinner has won the event in the last two years, and his priority remains his physical readiness for the 2027 season. The tournament serves as a final test of his recovery before he transitions to the official ATP tour calendar in Australia.
Broader Tour Context
While Sinner prepares for Riyadh, other top competitors are balancing immediate tour goals. Carlos Alcaraz has shifted his focus to the tournament in Vienna to move past his performance in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is actively competing in Basel—a decision maintained despite the rescheduling of the Six Kings Slam—and intends to follow that with the Paris Masters 1000. The Serbian veteran has expressed his desire to reach the ATP Finals in Turin, noting, I would like to go to Turin, we will see what happens,
while acknowledging that his physical condition is not yet at one hundred percent. The Italian Davis Cup team is also selecting its players, with captain Filippo Volandri evaluating the form of Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Berrettini.
Return to Competition in Riyadh
The tournament, which is broadcast exclusively by Netflix, underwent its scheduling change primarily due to regional security concerns in the Middle East during the original October window. Sinner’s return to the court at the end of December is currently the final confirmed checkpoint for the world number one before he begins his 2027 competitive campaign.
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