Saudi Arabia postpones Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition to December

Saudi Arabian organisers announced the postponement of the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament, moving the high-profile event from October to December amid escalating security tensions in the region.

The tournament, which was originally scheduled for mid-October in Riyadh, features some of the world's leading tennis players competing in an exhibition format. The prestigious event had attracted international attention as a marquee sporting fixture for the Saudi kingdom.

Regional security developments, including ongoing Houthi attacks in the area, prompted organisers to delay the tournament. The Iranian-aligned militant group has conducted numerous drone and missile strikes targeting infrastructure and shipping routes across the region in recent months.

By moving the event to December, organisers aim to allow the security situation to stabilise while maintaining the tournament's status as a major international sporting event. The rescheduled dates provide additional time to implement enhanced security protocols and assess regional conditions.

Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in sports tourism and major sporting events as part of its broader Vision 2030 development programme, making the successful hosting of elite competitions a strategic priority for the kingdom.