The Six Kings Slam is back, and the dream teams are being drafted! This week in Riyadh, the spotlight shines on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who battled it out in a repeat of last year's final. Sinner ultimately clinched the title and a cool $6 million prize after a thrilling match.
Their rivalry has been a highlight of the season, with Alcaraz winning two out of their four Grand Slam finals, while Sinner secured a victory against Alexander Zverev in another. Now, they've met again in Riyadh, with Sinner triumphing over Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz defeating Taylor Fritz to set up their rematch.
But here's where it gets interesting: the tournament, separate from the ATP Tour, also saw Fritz take down Alexander Zverev, and Sinner beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a swift 76-minute match.
Now, let's dive into the dream teams. On the Nothing Major Show, former tennis stars John Isner and Jack Sock shared their picks for the ultimate Six Kings Slam lineup. Sock went with a lineup featuring Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and the electrifying Carlos Alcaraz. Sock's choices prioritized entertainment value, rivalries, and, of course, the greats of the game.
Isner, on the other hand, included Sampras, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Jimmy Connors, highlighting Connors' impressive 109 titles. This is the part most people miss: the subtle differences in these dream teams reveal a lot about each player's preferences and what they value in a champion.
Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson also weighed in. Querrey chose Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, and Alcaraz, emphasizing the classic rivalries. Johnson opted for three iconic rivalries: Nadal vs. Federer, Bjorn Borg vs. McEnroe, and Agassi vs. Sampras. He even suggested giving Federer and Nadal byes into the semifinals, anticipating their potential final showdown.
And what about the women? It sparks curiosity to imagine a WTA equivalent. Serena and Venus Williams would likely be shoo-ins, alongside legends like Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Chris Evert. But where would players like Martina Hingis and Billie Jean King fit in? And what about current stars Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek?
Controversy & Comment Hooks: Do you agree with the players' choices? Who would be in your dream Six Kings Slam lineup, and why? Let us know in the comments below!
