Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios and Andrey Rublev are among the top players competing in the upcoming and controversial Diriyah Tennis Cup. The competition will take place in Riyadh and the prize money is rather finger-licking. The winner will pocket $1 million, the runner-up $500k, and the semi-finalists $250k.
The critics
Some tennis fans are not happy about this competition branded as “sportswashing,” a word that refers to the act of people, organizations, businesses, or governments using sports to repair their reputations after doing something wrong.
This has evolved into one of the most lucrative tennis events of the year thanks to appearance fees that are added to these sums in exchange for players participating in promotion events surrounding the tournament. Players have faced criticism for participating in the competition, which begins in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Judy Murray has also come under fire for hosting young girls’ coaching sessions throughout the competition.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2022
Ranked no.4, the Greek played his last match on the 18th of November when he surrendered to world no.8 Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this season the Greek has managed to achieve a 61-24 record. The Greek conquered 2 titles in 2022 in Monte-Carlo and Mallorca. Stefanos reached the final in Rotterdam, Rome, Cincinnati, Astana and Stockholm.
Daniil Medvedev in 2022
Currently ranked no.7, Medvedev played his last match on the 18th of November when he lost to world no.5 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(2) in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
During this season Medvedev has managed to achieve a compiled 45-19 record. The Russian has won 2 titles in 2022 in Los Cabos and Vienna. Daniil was the finalist at the Australian Open, Hertogenbosch and Halle.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev faced off 11 times. The head to head is 7-4 for Medvedev. Before, the last time they played each other, Stefanos Tsitsipas won 6-3 6-7(11) 7-6(1) in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 16th of November 2022.
Here are the highlights.
Nick Kyrgios in 2022
At the moment ranked no.22, the Australian played his last match on the 6th of October when he overcame world no.77 Kamil Majchrzak 3-6 6-2 6-2 in the 2nd round in Tokyo (draw).
Currently, during this season Kyrgios has a 37-10 match record. This year, Nick lifted the trophy in Washington. Nick was the finalist in Wimbledon.
Andrey Rublev in 2022
Currently ranked no.8, the Russian played his last match on the 19th of November when he lost to world no.3 Casper Ruud 6-2 6-4 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this year Rublev has a 51-20 win-loss record. Rublev clinched 4 titles in 2022 in Marseille, Dubai, Belgrade and Gijon.
Nick Kyrgios and Andrey Rublev played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Kyrgios. The last time they locked horns, Nick Kyrgios won 6-3 6-0 in the 2nd round in Miami (Miami Open) on the 25th of March 2022.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
