The Price of Participation: Tennis Stars Cash In on Saudi Arabia’s “Sportswashing” Campaign
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The Six Kings Slam, currently underway in Riyadh, offers staggering sums to participating players like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, but raises critical questions about the ethical cost of accepting lucrative offers from a nation with a controversial human rights record.
The allure of a $1.5 million starting fee is proving difficult to resist for even the most prominent figures in men’s tennis. Alexander Zverev, who publicly lamented the grueling tennis schedule in June – stating, “There are hardly any breaks. We players don’t have time to recover mentally and physically” – is now traveling 5,300 kilometers to participate in an exhibition tournament devoid of competitive significance.
A Tournament Devoid of Sporting Merit
Despite widespread skepticism within the tennis community, the Six Kings Slam is attracting top talent. Former world number one Boris Becker succinctly captured the prevailing sentiment, stating, “There’s a lot of money, but no points and no respect from the tennis scene.” Andy Murray echoed this view, dismissing the tournament with the blunt assessment: “Nobody is interested in this tournament.”
Nevertheless, players are being handsomely rewarded. In addition to the substantial entry bonus, the tournament winner will receive an additional $4.5 million. This prize money eclipses that offered at Grand Slam events, leading some to suggest that even Roger Federer might have benefited from being born in a later era. Participation extends beyond the court, with players obligated to make public appearances, contributing to carefully curated video content designed to present a positive image of Saudi Arabia to the global audience.
A Darker Reality Lurks Beneath the Glamour
The “Blvd World” amusement park, located just two kilometers from the tennis arena, offers a veneer of modernity and entertainment. However, a stark contrast exists just twenty kilometers away at Alsafat Square, a site where public executions by beheading were carried out until recently. The kingdom’s tourism slogan – “I landed in unexplored areas and saw things you wouldn’t believe” – feels particularly jarring in this context.
Human rights organizations paint a grim picture. Amnesty International reports a record 345 executions in 2024, with an alarming trend of increasing penalties for foreign nationals. According to Kristine Beckerle of Amnesty International, “Foreigners are being executed in shocking numbers for crimes that should never be punishable by the death penalty.” A significant 35 percent of executions this year were related to drug offenses. While public executions have ceased, they continue in secret.
Silence and Legitimacy
Public statements from the participating tennis stars have largely avoided addressing these concerns. Jannik Sinner, after winning the 2024 final against Carlos Alcaraz and claiming the largest prize in tennis history, stated, “I didn’t play for the money. I was there to compete with the best players in the world.” He also described his first visit to Riyadh as “nice.” This seemingly innocuous endorsement provides precisely the type of legitimacy the Saudi regime seeks. The success of this strategy is evident in recent events, such as American comedian Dave Chapelle’s assertion at the “Riyadh Comedy Festival” that “It is easier to express yourself here than in the USA.”
The Six Kings Slam is a key component of a broader, large-scale image campaign, with its reach amplified through platforms like Netflix. There is speculation that commentators, such as former British top player Tim Henman, may be operating under similar restrictions to those imposed on the comedians at the festival – namely, a prohibition against criticizing the royal family.
The tournament also cleverly circumvents ATP regulations by scheduling itself the week before the Swiss Indoors in Basel, a 250-level event. Participation in exhibitions during higher-tier tournaments (500 or Masters) carries sanctions, and players risk losing their “Platinum” status – and access to lucrative bonus pools – by participating in “unofficial events” lasting three or more consecutive days. Friday is therefore designated as a day of rest in Riyadh.
The Six Kings Slam represents a distinct approach compared to events like the Laver Cup, founded by Roger Federer, which, while a show tournament, donates its proceeds to charity. Similarly, Richard Branson’s “Necker Cup” combines amateur and professional play for philanthropic purposes. The Saudi event, however, operates on a different scale and employs strategic maneuvering to navigate the established rules of professional tennis.
The willingness of top players to participate, despite the ethical complexities, underscores the growing influence of financial incentives in professional sports and the power of “sportswashing” to reshape global perceptions.
