[Andrew3412]

"If the matches don't count on h2h it's like they never even happened, you may as well just go watch them play practice sessions."

If the practice session involves a 4.5 million prize for the winner of the session, then sure, I expect a similar level of hustle as at the Six Kings Slam.

I'm not sure you've quite grasped what may and may not motivate players to put in the effort. Which one do you reckon counts more as a motivator to put in effort: a notch in the H2H tally or 4.5 million dollars... And as for watching matches: if the players put in max effort (as they will do for 4.5 million) why would you then not watch the match... This is competitive tennis we're talking about. If the players compete, isn't that the point... Or what's your motivation to watch the players play. I don't quite get your point. You need ATP to tell you sth has an official status and then you will watch, no matter what the level of hustle is?


Btw. Challenger matches don't count towards the H2H --> They never happened and are not worth watching, right?


edit. I'll put this here too:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_pro_tours_and_tournament_ranking_series

I'm not talking about what motivates the players, I know they will hustle for 4.5 million, but it is a souless event that is only about money nothing else. Real tournaments contribute to a players legacy in the sport which is why they matter from fan perspective. If the top 6 teams in the premier league go to saudi for an exhibition tournament with a big prize money on offer for the winner i don't care if the players are motivated or not, i will simply not watch it because it's a souless cash grab nothing else. Real tournaments with history and tradition are what I care about as a fan.

 

[Tennact]

Ruud has a 3-year contract with Stockholm which is held the same week as Six Kings. And even if he didn't have one and was invited, judging by his last year's interview on the topic, his managers would advise him against participating.

His managers are the same as Fritz and Alcaraz and they are playing so I doubt his managers would be the reason he skips it.

 

[Johnny Groove]

Why would I be more than the slightest bit invested about him playing an event where he wouldn't be representing his country

I'm not talking about what motivates the players, I know they will hustle for 4.5 million, but it is a souless event that is only about money nothing else. Real tournaments contribute to a players legacy in the sport which is why they matter from fan perspective. If the top 6 teams in the premier league go to saudi for an exhibition tournament with a big prize money on offer for the winner i don't care if the players are motivated or not, i will simply not watch it because it's a souless cash grab nothing else. Real tournaments with history and tradition are what I care about as a fan.

I have noticed that British posters really do not like the 6 Kings, why is that?

Is it because of the Crusades? I thought the Catholics went mostly, did the Anglicans go as well? Maybe @florentine can chip in

Or because a lot of rich British people flee Britain for Dubai or wherever?

Genuinely curious because my European history knowledge and culture has some holes in there

 

[Slasher1985]

I have noticed that British posters really do not like the 6 Kings, why is that?

Is it because of the Crusades? I thought the Catholics went mostly, did the Anglicans go as well? Maybe @florentine can chip in

Or because a lot of rich British people flee Britain for Dubai or wherever?

Genuinely curious because my European history knowledge and culture has some holes in there

Maybe it's because Saudi investment has the potential to disrupt the tennis order and Slam status of major tournaments, though I doubt Wimbledon is in danger, maybe they think it is?

 

[Johnny Groove]

Maybe it's because Saudi investment has the potential to disrupt the tennis order and Slam status of major tournaments, though I doubt Wimbledon is in danger, maybe they think it is?

Well 6 Kings is a slam after all

But Wimbledon is Wimbledon, should be very secure in their status since 1877

 

[laughingcavalier]

I have noticed that British posters really do not like the 6 Kings, why is that?

Is it because of the Crusades? I thought the Catholics went mostly, did the Anglicans go as well? Maybe @florentine can chip in

Or because a lot of rich British people flee Britain for Dubai or wherever?

Genuinely curious because my European history knowledge and culture has some holes in there

Hey look I've got no problem with them holding this event AFTER the ATP finals where it doesn't clash with anything and they can go hell for leather for all I care.

However,even though it's an exhibition as people keep saying & that they're not 100% going to go all out destroying their body it just cheeses me off when they miss events to shoehorn this charade around it.

You of all people talk about legacy yet there is NONE where multi-millionaires jet set off to a place just chasing $$$$ and nothing else... Nobody cares in 5 years time who won the event the years prior.

If Sinner or Alcaraz priorite this over the Paris Masters and bypass that & if they never ever win that Masters Series in their careers and that's the only one missing from their Career Masters resume then they'll deserve it.


This is just a re-packaged Grand Slam Cup of the 90's and so forth that nobody ever talks about that event these days.

 

[adrianTennis]

I just logged in Netflix and I saw they will broadcast this.
I don't remember if they did it last hear.
They are starting to show many sports lile tennis, boxing, etc.

 

[Johnny Groove]

Hey look I've got no problem with them holding this event AFTER the ATP finals where it doesn't clash with anything and they can go hell for leather for all I care.

However,even though it's an exhibition as people keep saying & that they're not 100% going to go all out destroying their body it just cheeses me off when they miss events to shoehorn this charade around it.

You of all people talk about legacy yet there is NONE where multi-millionaires jet set off to a place just chasing $$$$ and nothing else... Nobody cares in 5 years time who won the event the years prior.

If Sinner or Alcaraz priorite this over the Paris Masters and bypass that & if they never ever win that Masters Series in their careers and that's the only one missing from their Career Masters resume then they'll deserve it.


This is just a re-packaged Grand Slam Cup of the 90's and so forth that nobody ever talks about that event these days.

Grand Slam Cup, like 6 Kings Slam, winner paid far more, 20-40%, than the Wimbledon champion

Both in 2025 and 1999

If MTF was around then, I'd probably be all about the Grand Slam Cup

Of course ATP will not like any competing events, unless it is Laver Cup of course

Tennis is not just about winning titles and comparing stats, like who is the GOAT

Sometimes it is just about cold hard cash, making that sweet moolah

No one may talk about Grand Slam Cup, but that event helped many players sustain their retirements for sure

 

[laughingcavalier]

Grand Slam Cup, like 6 Kings Slam, winner paid far more, 20-40%, than the Wimbledon champion



Tennis is not just about winning titles and comparing stats, like who is the GOAT

Sometimes it is just about cold hard cash, making that sweet moolah

I'm sorry... but those 2 sentences read together are absurd.

There were some players who missed the Grand Slam Cup & didn't bother with it every year on offer.

The $$$$ means f...k diddly squat.. If it did you could just pick any event & just add an extra cherry on top for the lure... still doesn't make it so though.

None of these guys playing this needs it... nor are they rattling tins thereafter if they miss it.They are already set up regardless & will see to it.


Anybody who follows snooker will be probably reminded of the Riyadh Snooker Championship where they added a 'golden ball' to the table to lure players to try and hit a 167.. instead of a 147 perfect clearance (20 points extra for a golden ball)


Gimmick!

 

[Johnny Groove]

I'm sorry... but those 2 sentences read together are absurd.

There were some players who missed the Grand Slam Cup & didn't bother with it every year on offer.

The $$$$ means f...k diddly squat.. If if did you could just pick any event & just add an extra cherry on top for the lure... still doesn't make it so though.

None of these guys playing this needs it... nor are they rattling tins thereafter if they miss it.They are already set up regardless & will see to it.


Anybody who follows snooker will be probably reminded of the Riyadh Snooker Championship where they added a 'golden ball' to the table to lure players to try and hit a 167.. instead of a 147 perfect clearance (20 points extra for a golden ball)


Gimmick!

Come on man you gotta have some fun some time

Can't spend your life in a record book with a calculator

Of course slams and #1 matter more

If I was invited, for sure I'd go. 10 star hotels and enough money to retire my mother

Would be selfish to say no

Every tournament has its own energy, I choose to enjoy the energy

And the money

I don't care how much you have, when millions of dollars are on the line, more than what you'd win at a slam and all within 3 days, I mean come on

 

[laughingcavalier]

Come on man you gotta have some fun some time

Can't spend your life in a record book with a calculator

Of course slams and #1 matter more

If I was invited, for sure I'd go. 10 star hotels and enough money to retire my mother

Would be selfish to say no

Every tournament has its own energy, I choose to enjoy the energy

And the money

I don't care how much you have, when millions of dollars are on the line, more than what you'd win at a slam and all within 3 days, I mean come on

 

[Johnny Groove]

View attachment 435701

Will not walk away

Will double down actually

Can't wait for the first match

 

[Dominic S]

I'm not talking about what motivates the players, I know they will hustle for 4.5 million, but it is a souless event that is only about money nothing else. Real tournaments contribute to a players legacy in the sport which is why they matter from fan perspective. If the top 6 teams in the premier league go to saudi for an exhibition tournament with a big prize money on offer for the winner i don't care if the players are motivated or not, i will simply not watch it because it's a souless cash grab nothing else. Real tournaments with history and tradition are what I care about as a fan.

But every tourney has to start somewhere. If guys are playing for that big of pot, I’m definitely watching.

I think what will ultimately decide if this becomes a big annual event is the crowd. If there’s a huge attendance, people will watch. It’ll start getting some acclaim.

I personally would prefer a “5th Slam”, get rid of the ATP Finals, and put a 128 man wealthiest pot tourney in Saudi Arabia in November. Small select tourneys (even ATP finals) don’t really do much for me to peak my interest level

 

[florentine]

I have noticed that British posters really do not like the 6 Kings, why is that?

Is it because of the Crusades? I thought the Catholics went mostly, did the Anglicans go as well? Maybe @florentine can chip in

I have no idea what the British think of this exhibition, and I don't see the connection between such a well-paid racket game and the Crusades, for which knights sold their possessions, undertook a perilous journey, risked their lives for the salvation of their souls, with little hope of return.

Moreover, the British were Catholic at that time, like the rest of Western Europe except for the Byzantine sphere of influence.

 

[Johnny Groove]

I have no idea what the British think of this exhibition, and I don't see the connection between such a well-paid racket game and the Crusades, for which knights sold their possessions, undertook a perilous journey, risked their lives for the salvation of their souls, with little hope of return.

Moreover, the British were Catholic at that time, like the rest of Western Europe except for the Byzantine sphere of influence.

Ah yes the Anglican Church was not until 1500s

Protestant was sooner? Not sure

Anyways, they have made the players on the poster look medieval, hence what reminded me of Crusades, though last years marketing was more up front

 

[R]

I'm not talking about what motivates the players, I know they will hustle for 4.5 million, but it is a souless event that is only about money nothing else. Real tournaments contribute to a players legacy in the sport which is why they matter from fan perspective. If the top 6 teams in the premier league go to saudi for an exhibition tournament with a big prize money on offer for the winner i don't care if the players are motivated or not, i will simply not watch it because it's a souless cash grab nothing else. Real tournaments with history and tradition are what I care about as a fan.

You've now moved the goal posts. This wasn't the POV you presented at first and to which I replied. Instead it was this:

It doesn't even count on their h2h records so who gives a crap....

...which you also doubled down on by saying this:

If the matches don't count on h2h it's like they never even happened, you may as well just go watch them play practice sessions. [...]

...which is obviously not in any way sound... ...unless, as said, you think e.g. Challengers too don't happen and are not worth watching (because the results will not be registered in the official ATP H2H count).

If you say your issue is the event is only about money (and not points) and is thus soulless, ok... This at least makes some sense. Although the argument that "real tournaments contribute to a player's legacy" would not apply to Six Kings can also be challenged. How is Six Kings supposedly not real and why would winning it not contribute to one's legacy just the same as winning any other event...? Barring Tsitsipas the competition at Six Kings is as solid as you could currently put together. The best players. Plus - as already evidenced last year - the prize money should provide incentive for the players to give it their best effort. I also reckon Sinneraz playing each other in pretty much any match will make them put in the effort by default due to the rivalry. Obviously there's a hierarchy in terms of the prestige and quality of events. Six Kings is both a big and a small event at the same time. Big in terms of the player pool (= the best players) and the prize money, but small in terms of the size of the draw and the format resulting in only 2-3 BO3 matches (Max 2 for Alcaraz and Djokovic, and max 3 for the others). But it's still a real tennis event pitting a handful of the best guys against each other.

If the players take it seriously = a serious/honest tennis match (instead of a practice session which you tried to present it as / compare it to). Whether you personally (or anyone else) have interest towards a specific serious/honest match is an entirely different thing. Albeit spectator interest / the size of the crowd is also indicative of the perceived status and magnitude of a match/event. We'll soon see how it is with this one. But again: if the players take it seriously = it's a serious match. Querrey:

"I remember talking to Darren Cahill earlier this year. He said last year when Sinner and Alcarez played in the final of that, it felt as intense as any major final. Like... the whole teams were there. There's $6 million on the line. Like... yes, it was an exhibition, but with that much on the line, it had the feeling and intensity of a full on real match."

 

[florentine]

Protestant was sooner? Not sure

Protestantism... it's a bit of a long story... it began in "Germany" (or HRE..) with Luther and his 95 theses against indulgences and Calvin (Switzerland) and went on to affect Northern and Central Europe, Bohemia (the defenestration of Prague), as well as the United Provinces (present-day Netherlands), then a long period in France with the Wars of Religion.

However, the English case is a little different.
Anglicanism was born from the Pope's refusal to accept Henry VIII's "divorce," which caused the break with Rome, and made the King of England the head of the English Church, not the Pope of Rome.

 

[jojjeshruk]

dont care about the latest Saudi PR project sorry

 

[jojjeshruk]

Minimum requirement to play is at least one slam final on your resume

No mugs here

Who cares about those ranked ahead of Tsitsipas? Do they have a slam final on their resume? Can they draw a crowd? Do they look as good as Stefanos on the poster?

Answer is no to all of the above

Although yes Med and Ruud have slam finals on their resume, Ruud is too boring and Med was a total flop last year. Definitely won't make that same mistake. These Riyadh people are smart

would have thought someone who has grinded it out in the futures qualifiers wouldnt be such a starfucker, but I guess not

 

[jojjeshruk]

Ruud has a 3-year contract with Stockholm which is held the same week as Six Kings. And even if he didn't have one and was invited, judging by his last year's interview on the topic, his managers would advise him against participating.

Norwegian football assosciation was mad as hell about the Qatar world cup (not that it mattered as they didnt qualify). But those oil rich Scandis like a flavour of morality with their sport and he would probably get criticized to hell if he went there. Which to be clear i think is good

I think to get swallowed up by this you either gotta have a shallow sense of the world and or have bit of a nihilistic outlook.