The kingdom is putting on the richest tennis exhibition in history, but its wider ambitions in the sport have contracted.

Tennis stars are guaranteed £1.15million just for turning up in Riyadh, with the winner set to rake in double the amount that is awarded to the winner of Wimbledon - with Andy Murray mocking the tourn

The Six Kings Slam is an exhibition event for a half-dozen men that awards money but no ATP ranking points and is Saudi Arabia’s latest foray into tennis.

Dates, schedule and how to watch Nadal, Djokovic and more in Saudi Arabia exhibition - Everything you need to know ahead of the exhibition event

World no. 1 Jannik Sinner made a winning start at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. Jannik faced world no. 5 Daniil Medvedev and scored a 6-0, 6-3 victory in 70 minutes, booking a place in the semi-final and arranging the duel against Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal starts his pre-retirement farewell tour against Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday at the Six Kings Slam.

The Six Kings Slam is the most lucrative exhibition tennis tournament ever, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the country’s annual sporting season.

Nadal will skip the quarter-final round at the Six Kings Slam and battle against Carlos Alcaraz or Holger Rune in the semi-final. The 22-time Major champion will end his career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga between November 19-24, competing in the national jersey two decades after debuting.