Straight-talking Murray puts Saudi exho back in its box

Andy Murray spelled out some home truths for next month’s Saudi exhibition which promises multi-million dollar paydays for six elite participants.

Organisers of the Six Kings Slam are touting an essentially meaningless event with a five-minute cinema-style promotion video clip which left the now-retired Scot flabbergasted as he boldly suggested that “nobody cares” about the cash grab in Riyadh.

With no ranking points on offer – the winner will walk with USD 6 million – concerns about the crowded ATP schedule seem to have evaporated for the participants; each player is guaranteed USD 1.5 million.

Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, along with Novak Djokovic, are the main selling points for organisers, who say their event will boast the winners of 50 Grand Slam titles. 

The nearly-retired Nadal also serves as an “ambassador” for Saudi tennis, a move which has drawn heavy criticism in the sport.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune will make up the numbers.

The promo clips paints the main as historic heroes, with Alcaraz facing an on a court suspended over a desert, Other scenes include Sinner as a Renaissance sculptor, Rune as a Viking, Medvedev riding a bear and Nadal materialising form clay.

Djokovic gets his star turn duelling with wolves on a mountain and setting a court on fire with a forehand,

The three-day exhibition will be jammed in between the October 13 end of the Shanghai Masters and the October 28 start of the Paris Bercy Masters.

The outspoken Murray took one look at the promo posted by organisers on social media and let loose.

“Speechless as to how damn cool this promo is. Probably best I’ve ever seen in tennis. Would watch this movie. 10/10.”

But he added ironically: “Except it’s not a movie, and you won’t watch it because it’s an exhibition tennis event that nobody cares about.”