Six Kings Slam: What is it? Are Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic playing? Time, date and how to watch
Tennis great Rafael Nadal joins Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Riyadh; watch the last day of the Six Kings Slam on Sky Sports Tennis, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app on Saturday at 5pm, where Nadal will play Djokovic
Saturday 19 October 2024 19:57, UK
Rafael Nadal will make one of his last appearances before retiring from competitive action at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh along with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz - live on Sky Sports Tennis on Saturday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion confirmed last week that he would call time on his remarkable tennis career after playing for Spain in next month's Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Before that, Nadal has been playing at the Six Kings Slam and will play Djokovic for one last time on Saturday at 5pm in the third-place play-off, live on Sky Sports Tennis. After that Sinner and Alcaraz will continue their new rivalry in the final at approximately 7pm.
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Nadal and Djokovic: 'Impossible to be friends - but not enemies'
Asked how he was able to be friends with Roger Federer during and post his career, Nadal name-checked Djokovic too, with the 22-time Grand Slam champion saying he believes he is able to get on with his rivals because they share similar values.
"Of course with Roger it has been special but with Novak too, I have a good relationship," he said. "It's the way you approach the sport.
"I think that's possible because at the end, we understand that it's only a game. In life, we have many more important things outside of tennis.
"At the end of the day, if you have a good relationship with the colleagues, with the people who are next to you or with the people in general, without a doubt, in my experience, you will be happier. So at the end, tennis is only a game, relationships go beyond that."
Djokovic has said on a few occasions he has found it "impossible" to be friends with Nadal, such has been the competitiveness of their rivalry, but says they have "never been enemies."
"Even with him [Nadal], friendship is impossible. I have always respected and greatly admired him," Djokovic told Corriere Della Sera.
"We have never been friends. Between rivals, it is not possible, but we have never been enemies."
What is the Six Kings Slam?
The Six Kings Slam is an exhibition tennis tournament held across three days and featuring six big-name players.
It takes place from October 16-19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As it is a non-ATP-sanctioned event, players will not earn any ranking points.
Each of the six participants are guaranteed a reported minimum prize of £1.12m, with the winner taking home the largest prize in tennis history, £4.6m - almost double the prize money for a Grand Slam champion.
Six Kings Slam schedule and results
Wednesday: Jannik Sinner bt Daniil Medvedev 6-0 6-3, Carlos Alcaraz bt Holger Rune 6-4 6-2.
Thursday: Jannik Sinner bt 6-2 6-7 (0-7) 6-4, Carlos Alcaraz bt Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-3.
Saturday: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal at 5pm (third-place match), Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz at 7pm (final).
Is this Nadal's last appearance?
Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, announced his forthcoming retirement in an emotional video message last week.
The 38-year-old will bid an emotional end to an illustrious career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, but before that he will play Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam.
Nadal lost to Alcaraz in straight sets in the semi-finals, and Djokovic was beaten in an entertaining three-set match against Sinner in the other last four match.
What's coming up on Sky Sports Tennis this month?
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka - WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China - WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- Erste Bank Open, Vienna - ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, Basel - ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China - WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo - WTA 500 (October 21-27)
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