"Saudis love to throw money, desperate for attention" - Fans baffled by Daniil Medvedev's $1.5 million payday for Six Kings Slam loss to Jannik Sinner

Daniil Medvedev put in a woeful performance against Jannik Sinner in the pair's clash at the ongoing Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia. However, despite the Russian's 0-6, 3-6 loss to the World No. 1, he still took home a staggering $1.5 million, simply for turning up at the event. This sparked reactions from tennis fans.

Medvedev came into the inaugural Six Kings Slam on the back of a similar thrashing at the hands of Sinner at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters. Meanwhile, the Italian had gone on to win the ATP Masters 1000 tournament and despite the Six Kings Slam's exhibition status, he was in no mood to play at a slightly lower level than he usually does.

As a result, a subpar Daniil Medvedev was thoroughly outplayed by the World No. 1, especially in the first set, during which he won only 15 of 46 points. The Russian did try to turn things around in the second set, but ultimately, it was Jannik Sinner who cruised to victory to set up a semifinal clash against Novak Djokovic.

Prominent tennis journalist Jose Morgado took to X (formerly Twitter) in the aftermath of the Sinner-Medvedev matchup and wrote about how the Russian got $1.5 million for winning only three games.

Several fans shared their reactions on Morgado's post, with some being highly critical of Saudi Arabia hosting such lucrative events, seemingly in a bid to open the country up to tennis.

"These Saudis love to throw money away. They're desperate for attention so they keep on splashing cash in a ridiculous manner," a fan wrote.

"Mickey Mouse tourney surely," commented another fan, ridiculing the Six Kings Slam as a tournament.

"500k per game while half their population starves lmao," another chimed in.

Another set of fans suggested that Daniil Medvedev knew deep inside that he would not be able to win the event and that's why produced an underwhelming performance against Jannik Sinner.

One particular enthusiast also called out all the players participating in the Six Kings Slam while lauding Alexander Zverev. The organizers of the event had tried to rope in the German, but he decided not to participate, with the spot eventually going to Holger Rune.

"He (Medvedev) knew he couldn't win so he decided that it would be better to just take the entry fee and leave and not put any sort of effort," wrote one fan.

"At least he got the pay check for a bagel. Feel sorry for him now. He tried hitting so hard. Sinner was just too good," another opined.

"All w**ring themselves out to that oh so wonderful country. Bravo to Sascha Zverev for passing and making a spot for Rune," one fan weighed in.

During the Sinner-Medvedev showdown in Saudi Arabia, the Russian's frustration boiled over, and he took it out on his racket. While Medvedev is not likely to make too much of his Six Kings Slam loss to Sinner, the Russian would certainly be concerned about how the Italian seems to have become a tough opponent for him to beat.

Daniil Medvedev has lost to Jannik Sinner on four out of five occasions on the ATP Tour this year

Jannik Sinner (L) and Daniil Medvedev (R) at the Six Kings Slam 2024 (Source: Getty)

Before Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner's 2023 China Open final meeting, the Russian had a formidable 6-0 win-loss record against the Italian on the ATP Tour. However, that record currently stands at 7-7, and four of Medvedev's seven losses to Sinner (not counting the Six Kings Slam defeat), have come this year.

The most high-profile defeat for Medvedev against Sinner arguably came in the final of the 2024 Australian Open. On that particular occasion, it seemed as if the Russian would win the match and clinch his second Major title, having taken the first two sets. Instead, Sinner made a stirring comeback and remarkably turned the tables on Medvedev.

The pair's last tour-level meeting came at the US Open, where eventual champion Sinner ousted Medvedev in the quarterfinals.