Tennis stars are under fire for chasing big paychecks at exhibitions like the Six Kings Slam, but Dominic Thiem isn't having any of the criticism. In a refreshingly blunt take, Thiem argues that players are simply doing their jobs—and getting paid handsomely for it. Here’s the deal: the Six Kings Slam, which recently held its second edition in Riyadh, featured a star-studded lineup including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Originally, Jack Draper was set to join, but an injury forced him to withdraw, with Tsitsipas stepping in.
The financial incentives were staggering: just for showing up, players pocketed $1.5 million, while Sinner, the eventual winner, walked away with a jaw-dropping $6 million—far surpassing any Grand Slam prize money this year. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite players frequently complaining about the grueling tour schedule, many were quick to criticize those who participated in this event.
Thiem, however, sees it differently. “You can’t blame the players for taking these opportunities,” he told Der Standard. “Very few people would say no to such amounts. As athletes, our earning window is limited, and we’ve dedicated our lives to tennis since childhood. Most of us don’t even have a high school diploma—we’ve bet everything on this one skill. You have to secure your financial future while you can.”
He added, “Out of the top 100 players, probably 99 haven’t finished high school. These events provide a chance to build financial security and, later, explore other opportunities. As kids, we didn’t have the luxury of focusing on anything else.”
Sinner echoed this sentiment bluntly: “It’s no secret why we play these events.” Alcaraz also defended his participation, noting that the Six Kings Slam was less demanding than a typical ATP tournament.
And this is the part most people miss: while the criticism focuses on players prioritizing money over rest, Thiem’s perspective highlights the harsh reality of a career with a short shelf life. Is it fair to judge players for seizing opportunities that secure their futures? Or should the focus be on reforming the tour schedule to reduce burnout?
What do you think? Are players justified in chasing these big paydays, or does it undermine their complaints about the tour’s demands? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
