Arabic version: إعادة جدولة بطولة «الملوك الستة» بعد هجمات الرياض

According to BBC News, the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Saudi Arabia has been postponed following a series of deadly attacks on Riyadh. Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev had been due to travel to the Saudi capital for the three-day event, which was scheduled to begin on 21 October.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Americans Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien were also earmarked to play. The tournament had been in serious doubt since Yemen’s Houthi movement launched attacks on Saudi Arabia at the weekend, including a missile strike on Riyadh’s airport on Saturday that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister vowed a “serious” response after the kingdom’s oil and gas facilities were also targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis. The ANB Arena, which hosts the Six Kings Slam, is in northern Riyadh, about 31km from King Khalid International Airport.

The third edition of the lucrative exhibition, won by Italy’s Jannik Sinner last year, has been moved to 27-30 December. Organisers said the decision reflected Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards after assessing organisational and logistical challenges and their potential effect on the audience experience.

Other sporting events have also been rescheduled. Three Saudi Pro League fixtures, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr trip to Al-Ahli, were moved, while the Asian Tour said it was closely monitoring the situation before the PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club, scheduled for 18-21 November. Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi could also be affected by the regional conflict.