The chairman of [Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority](https://gea.gov.sa) announced on Wednesday that the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament will be postponed after a wave of lethal attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted the kingdom. Originally slated for 21‑24 October and to be streamed live by [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com), the event is now rescheduled for 27‑30 December.
Key details:
- Top‑ranked players Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev were set to compete, alongside Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien and Alex de Minaur.
- Turki Alalshikh posted on X: "The Six Kings Slam tournament has been postponed due to logistical reasons and will now take place on December 27," citing a statement from the Riyadh Season entertainment programme.
- The postponement follows recent missile strikes on Saudi airports and energy sites, the deadliest of which hit Riyadh International Airport over the weekend, killing 13 people.
What caused the disruption?
The attacks were carried out by the [Houthi movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houthi_movement), a Yemeni rebel group engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi‑led coalition. Their recent strikes have forced the suspension of several high‑profile sporting fixtures, including three Saudi Pro League matches involving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
How has the broader sports calendar been affected?
Since the escalation of the US‑Israel‑Iran confrontation in February, Saudi Arabia’s sporting agenda has suffered repeated setbacks. The Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix slated for April in Jeddah was cancelled, and the WTA Finals, originally due in Riyadh next month, have been relocated to Indian Wells, USA. Additionally, Al Nassr’s Asian Champions League tie against Neftchi Fergana was delayed after a missile was intercepted en route to Riyadh.
The rescheduled Six Kings Slam will now give fans a chance to see the world’s elite players compete later in the year, provided security conditions improve.