Jack Draper has withdrawn from the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, leading to his replacement.
Draper had already pulled out of his second round match at the US Open due to a persistent arm injury, and he has now confirmed that he will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
This withdrawal also affects his participation in an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, sparking discussions about who could fill his spot in the Six Kings Slam.
The replacement has now been announced, and tennis fans are expressing their confusion over the choice. Draper has been succeeded by Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tennis fans perplexed as Stefanos Tsitsipas steps in for Jack Draper
The inaugural Six Kings Slam occurred last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring several top players including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The event’s champion received a remarkable $6 million, the highest prize in tennis history.
This year, a strong lineup was once again promised, with stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner confirmed to participate. Draper, who is currently ranked number seven, was part of this elite group before his replacement by Tsitsipas.
While Tsitsipas has previously been ranked as high as third in the world and is a two-time Grand Slam finalist, his recent performance has not reflected that peak. He has struggled lately, losing seven of his last ten matches.
Following the announcement, many fans expressed their surprise over Tsitsipas, currently ranked 27th, being chosen for such a prestigious event. Comments on social media questioned why a higher-ranked player hadn’t been selected instead.
Recap of the previous Six Kings Slam
Last year’s Six Kings Slam generated mixed reactions ahead of its debut, especially regarding its prize money, notably when Daniil Medvedev earned $1.5 million for a short match. Despite some critiques, the tournament also delivered memorable moments, including the thrilling final between Djokovic and Nadal.
The 2026 edition of the Six Kings Slam, featuring Tsitsipas, will take place in Riyadh from October 15-18.
