Daniil Medvedev Explains Skipping £4.5m Six Kings Slam for Almaty Open
Daniil Medvedev, the Russian tennis star, is competing at this week’s ATP 250 Almaty Open, choosing it over the lucrative Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes despite the exhibition offering players the chance to earn up to £4.5m.
The former world No. 1 had taken part in the event’s debut last time, pocketing£ 1.1 m despite a nippy first-round exit. This time, still, Medvedev decided on Almaty, aiming to recapture instigation after a grueling season.
The Six Lords Slam is a three-day exhibition featuring the globe’s top six players. When Britain’s Jack Draper withdrew due to injury, organizers invited Stefanos Tsitsipas as his relief.
Some wondered if Medvedev could have stepped in. He’s now addressed why he stayed away.
“It’s actually a bit more complicated. First, as far as I know, it’s not $1.5 million (£1.1m) per player; it depends on several factors,” Medvedev said.
“Since I’ve dropped in the rankings, I understood that I probably wouldn’t be invited, because they usually take the top six — last year they only made an exception for Rafa [Nadal].
So I entered the tournament in Kazakhstan, and once I commit to something, I follow through.
Maybe there were some discussions elsewhere, but generally, if I’ve agreed to play somewhere, I keep my word. That’s why I’m here, and I don’t regret it. Besides, I need ranking points and real match play, so I’ll try to deliver some good tennis.”
Medvedev arrives in Almaty Open on the back of a strong Asian tour. He reached the quarter-finals in Hangzhou and then secured consecutive semi-final finishes in Beijing and Shanghai.
The Russian is now 15th in the race to the ATP Finals in Turin, with only the top eight qualifying, keeping his hopes alive for a seventh consecutive appearance.
He added, “This stretch after Shanghai is always tough. Even when it’s not as hot as this year, conditions there are usually quite warm, and then you move to indoor hard courts, essentially into the European winter, or here, which is also close to winter.
So the body needs some time to adjust. I also know that my chances of qualifying for Turin are very slim, so I decided to play my last three tournaments of the season and give it everything, as long as my body allows.
The adaptation here has gone well so far. We’ll see how it feels in the first match, because that’s always the hardest one indoors.”
Medvedev’s choice highlights a shift in focus from prize money to ranking points and competitive match practice. Fans will now watch closely to see if the Russian can maintain his late-season surge in Almaty.
