Saudi tennis ‘slam’ with Alcaraz, Djokovic postponed amid Houthi attacks

What the report says

Saudi organisers have postponed the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament from late October to late December, according to Al Jazeera, as Saudi Arabia faces a wave of Houthi-linked attacks and related disruptions. The event was expected to feature several leading men’s players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, and was originally set for October 21-24 in Riyadh before being rescheduled for December 27-30.

Turki al-Sheikh, who chairs Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, said the move was due to organisational and logistical challenges. Al Jazeera reported that the announcement came the same day Saudi football authorities also delayed three Saudi Pro League fixtures, including one involving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, citing logistical considerations and player rest requirements.

The changes add to a period of wider sporting disruption in the kingdom. Al Jazeera noted that Riyadh has recently been targeted by missile attacks claimed by the Houthis, including an incident that delayed an AFC Champions League match involving Al-Nassr. The article also said other major Saudi sporting events have been affected or moved, underscoring the pressure on the country’s ambitious international sports calendar.

More broadly, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in high-profile sports and entertainment events in recent years. The postponement suggests security and scheduling concerns are now influencing that strategy, even as officials say some other bouts and tournaments remain on track.