"Only made an exception for Rafael Nadal" - Daniil Medvedev gets real about not being invited to join Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner at Six Kings Slam

Daniil Medvedev recently addressed his absence from the ongoing Six Kings Slam, saying he wasn't invited to compete in the exhibition tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Russian featured in the inaugural edition last year alongside Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner were invited for this year's edition as well.

Medvedev lost to eventual champion Sinner in his opening match last year. Despite the loss, the Russian was reported to have pocketed $1.5 million as an appearance fee.

However, in an interaction with the media at the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan, the former World No. 1 said the Six Kings Slam's appearance fees aren't rigidly fixed at $1.5 million per player.

"It's actually a bit more complicated. First, as far as I know, it's not $1.5 million per player - it depends on several factors," Medvedev said.

Daniil Medvedev then suggested that his drop to No. 18 in the rankings probably played a role in his not being invited. He also said that in 2024, the organizers made an exception for Rafael Nadal, who was ranked No. 154 at the time, and was set to bring the curtains down on his career towards the end of the year.

"Since I've dropped in the rankings, I understood that I probably wouldn't be invited, because they usually take the top six - last year they only made an exception for Rafa," the Russian added.

"Once I commit to something, I follow through" - Daniil Medvedev on his participation at Almaty Open 2025

Daniil Medvedev at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters (Source: Getty)

Daniil Medvedev also explained that after he wasn't invited to the Six Kings Slam, he chose to sign up for the Almaty Open, an ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan.

"So I entered the tournament in Kazakhstan, and once I commit to something, I follow through. Maybe there were some discussions elsewhere, but generally, if I've agreed to play somewhere, I keep my word. That's why I'm here, and I don't regret it. Besides, I need ranking points and real match play, so I'll try to deliver some good tennis," Medvedev said.

The Russian, currently ranked No. 14, has reached the semifinals in Almaty, where he is set to lock horns with Australia's James Duckworth. If the 2021 US Open champion progresses to the final, he will face either Alex Michelsen from the USA or Corentin Moutet from France.

Meanwhile, the Six Kings Slam will once again pit Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner against each other in the final.