Jessica Pegula is in awe of the Six Kings Slam appearance fee as the American tennis star says it is "insane" that a Riyadh exhibition participant netted $1.5 million for just showing up.
When the Six Kings Slam project was announced last year, it was perfectly clear right from the start what would be the event's philosophy – offer major money and try to lure all the best players of the game. And so far, they have been able to do exactly that.
This year, an invitation for the star-studded exhibition was given to Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper. Since Draper was injured, he was replaced by Stefanos Tsitsipas. Every participant was guaranteed to earn $1.5 million, while the winner would go home with a stunning $6 million.
“The prize money is insane. 1.5 million for showing up,” Pegula said on The Player's Box, a podcast she hosts with Jennifer Brady, Madison Keys and Desirae Krawczyk.
Brady's funny response to Pegula's comment: Don't think I'd say no
Reacting to Pegula, statement, former world No. 13 Brady remarked: “Winner gets 6 million, 1.5 million to just show up, I don’t think I’d say no!”
Sinner and Co. faced certain criticism for taking part in an exhibition while the season is still ongoing. However, the Italian tennis star was unfazed by it as he very directly noted that everyone knows why they went to Saudi Arabia.
“The product we already have is incredible, we have everything: big tournaments around the world, big audiences… but can we improve it? Of course. Events dedicated to amateurs and children, exhibition, are fundamental: that’s why we’re here. There are several reasons why we’re here, it’s not a secret, but if we have the opportunity to make everything better, why not?” Sinner explained.
Sinner ended up winning the Six Kings Slam and bagging a $6 million prize money.
