by Retired tennis star Andy Murray did not want to allow Liam Broady’s involvement in a controversial Saudi Arabian tennis tournament to go unchecked.
Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Rafael Nadal came to Riyadh this week for the first Six Kings Slam.
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Although players cannot earn ranking points as it is not an ATP-sanctioned event, all six will be generously compensated for the performance and will receive a minimum payout of $1.5 million (£1.15 million).
The winner will receive a whopping $6 million (£4.6 million), the largest cash prize in tennis history and almost double the amount offered for winning a Grand Slam.
Broady did not receive an invitation to play in Riyadh but will continue to be part of the action in Saudi Arabia after being announced as a pundit for Sky Sports’ coverage of the event.
The 30-year-old will analyze the event together with former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash and the commentator duo Adam Fielder and Gigi Salmon.
And Murray couldn’t resist giving his friend a cheeky dig when he found out he would be there in Riyadh.
“Ahhhh now it makes sense @Liambroady,” Murray wrote on X alongside several dollar bill emojis.
Broady also posted about the trailer used to promote the event, which portrayed the tennis stars involved as iconic characters from Indiana Jones.
“Speechless at how damn cool this promo is,” Broady said.
“Probably the best I’ve ever seen in tennis. I would watch this film. 10/10.”
Murray clapped back: “But it’s not a movie and you won’t watch it because it’s a tennis drama that no one cares about.”
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The 37-year-old has previously come out strongly in favor of playing in Saudi Arabia, stating in June 2022 that he “wouldn’t personally go there and play there”.
However, his view was toned down somewhat when he claimed in July last year that playing in Saudi Arabia “becomes a slightly different question” when “big tournaments” are held there and this affects players’ ranking points.
But Murray no longer has to worry about that as he retired from the sport after the Paris Olympics.
Murray and Dan Evans were unable to keep up in the singles and enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by third-placed Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
The quarterfinals of the Six Kings Slam have already begun as Sinner defeated Medvedev 6-0, 6-3 and secured a match against Djokovic in the semifinals.
In the other half of the draw, Alcaraz set up a thrilling clash against Nadal thanks to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Rune.
