This included the lucrative exhibition event taking place in Saudi Arabia, with speculation over who should replace Draper for the Six Kings Slam<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now that it has been revealed who really will be taking Draper\u2019s<\/a> place, tennis fans have vocalised their confusion.<\/p>\n The Six Kings Slam<\/a> held its inaugural edition last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring some of the biggest stars.<\/p>\n This included both Novak Djokovic<\/a> and Rafael Nadal<\/a>, with the eventual Six Kings Slam champion pocketing $6million<\/a>, which is the biggest prize cheque in tennis history.<\/p>\n A strong lineup for the event had been announced once again, with Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, Jannik Sinner<\/a>, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev<\/a> and Taylor Fritz<\/a> all featuring.<\/p>\n World number seven Draper originally completed that lineup, but the Briton has now been replaced by Stefanos Tsitsipas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tsitsipas has been ranked as high as world number three and is a two-time Grand Slam finalist, but his form of late has been nowhere near that level.<\/p>\n The Greek has faced many struggles in recent months, with Tsitsipas losing seven of his last 10 matches<\/a>.<\/p>\n After the announcement of his inclusion in the Six Kings Slam event, tennis fans admitted their confusion about the current world number 27 being added to an event with this name.<\/p>\n One person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), \u201cNot hating on Stefanos but there was no one else in top 10 or even top 15? He is world number 25+.\u201d<\/p>\n Other social media users pointed out the disparity in Tsitsipas\u2019 ranking compared to the other five players.<\/p>\n \u201cATP Rankings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 And \u2026.. Stefanos (27).\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTsitsipas is not even in top20??? How is it possible?\u201d<\/p>\n Tsitsipas it\u2019s not even in top20??? How is it possible?<\/p>\n \u2014 IL DIO DIGITALE (@conilmionome85) September 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n With each participating player pocketing at least $1.5 million, it has been suggested that a higher ranked player should have been given an opportunity to earn this big sum of money.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Why doesn\u2019t a higher ranked player get offered the chance of the huge payday? There are literally 22 higher ranked players, I\u2019m sure someone out of that group would have wanted to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Why? Why doesn\u2019t a higher ranked player get offered the chance of the huge payday? There are literally 22 higher ranked players, I\u2019m sure someone out of that group would have wanted to play.<\/p>\n \u2014 Debbie Graham (@DebbieGraham7) September 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n Another person on social media approached it from a different angle, questioning how sensible a decision it was for Tsitsipas, who has recently been struggling with a back injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t Stefanos injured he should want to take the rest of the season i feel if the back is the issue I want him to be in the best of health.\u201d<\/p>\n Isnt Stefanos injured he should want to take the rest of the season i feel if the back is the issue i want him to be in the best of health\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n \u2014 JM_Crazy11 (@CCAMacc101) September 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n However, it was not exclusively criticism for Tsitsipas\u2019 inclusion, with someone pointing out that Nadal was nowhere near his top level when he took part in the Six Kings Slam last year.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they are going for players with slams. Since [Daniil] Medvedev\u2019s decline (at least I hear so), there was only [Marin] \u010cili\u0107 left \u2013 but he\u2019s out of top 50. Tsitsipas is 2xGS finalist, and one time winner of Tour finals (closest to GS) He\u2019s not what he used to be, but neither was Nadal in \u201924.\u201d<\/p>\n I think they are going for players with slams. Since Medvedev decline (at least I hear so), there was only \u010cili\u0107 left \u2013 but he’s out of top 50. Tsitsipas is 2xGS finalist, and one time winner of Tour finals (closest to GS) \u2014 Nemanja Ignjatovi\u0107 (@inemanja34) September 18, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n All of this does not appear to be affecting Tsitsipas, who posted his own social media message after the announcement was made.<\/p>\n \u201cSurprise, surprise! Excited to compete in the Six Kings Slam next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.\u201d<\/p>\n What happened at the Six Kings Slam last year?<\/p>\n People did not know what to expect ahead of the inaugural edition of the Six Kings Slam, which did receive a lot of criticism<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n The prize money was a big topic of conversation, especially when Daniil Medvedev pocketed $1.5million for losing a 68 minute match<\/a>.<\/p>\n Six Kings Slam Prize MoneyWinner$6,000,000Participation Fee$1,500,000<\/p>\n However, there were also some moments that tennis fans loved, including the final singles match between Djokovic and Nadal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ultimately it ended up with a final between the two top players on the ATP Tour, as Sinner beat Alcaraz to win the first Six Kings Slam<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite pocketing $6million in prize money for this win, Sinner claimed he did not play the Six Kings Slam for the prize money<\/a>, with his comments being criticised.<\/p>\n The 2026 edition of the Six Kings Slam, which now features Tsitsipas, will take place in Riyadh between October, 15-18.<\/p>\n ![\"Stefanos](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2232290865-1024x764.jpg\")
Photo by Elsa\/Getty ImagesTennis fans confused after Stefanos Tsitsipas replaces Jack Draper<\/p>\n
He’s not what he used to be, but neither was Nadal in ’24<\/p>\n