Carlos Alcaraz will face either Taylor Fritz or Alexander Zverev in the Six Kings Slam semifinal on Thursday, October 16, in Riyadh.
Alcaraz Returns to Action in Saudi Arabia
Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his highly anticipated return to the court at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Spanish star, who recently skipped the Shanghai Masters to recover from a minor ankle injury, will play in the semifinals on October 16 at the Anb Arena. His opponent will be determined by the outcome of the quarterfinal match between Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev.
BYE for the Grand Slam Leaders
Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic were granted automatic passage to the semifinals due to their status as the players with the most Grand Slam titles among the tournament’s participants. This format, unique to the Six Kings Slam, rewards historical achievement and ensures top-tier matchups in the final rounds.
The tournament features six elite players: Alcaraz, Djokovic, Fritz, Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. It runs from October 15 to 18 and has quickly become one of the most talked-about events on the tennis calendar.
Alcaraz’s Preparation and Expectations
After winning the US Open and the Japan Open earlier this season, Alcaraz took time off to rest and recover. He has since resumed training and is expected to be in top form for the semifinal clash. His camp has emphasized the importance of managing physical strain as he prepares for the final stretch of the season.
“Carlos is feeling good and ready to compete. The break was necessary, but now he’s focused on Riyadh,” said a member of his coaching team.
A Chance to Reignite Rivalries
Should Alcaraz face Zverev, it would mark another chapter in their growing rivalry, while a match against Fritz would offer a fresh challenge. Either way, fans can expect a high-intensity battle as Alcaraz aims to reach the final and potentially face Djokovic once again.
Taylor Fritz in 2025
Currently the world no.4 (career-high), the American played his last match on the 5th of October when he was defeated by world no.37 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4 7-5
in the 3rd round in Shanghai (draw).At the moment, during this season the American has a 50-19 record. Taylor conquered 3 titles in 2025 in Australia, Stuttgart and Eastbourne. Taylor got to the final in Tokyo.
He is also scheduled to play in Basel (Swiss Indoors Basel) on the 20th of October and Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) on the 27th of October.
Alexander Zverev in 2025
Currently ranked no.3, the German played his last match on the 6th of October when he was overcome by world no.54 Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the 3rd round in Shanghai (draw).
This season the German has a composed 48-21 win-loss record. This year, the German lifted the trophy in Munich. Zverev got to the final at the Australian Open and Stuttgart.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) after Vienna. The main draw will start on the 20th of October.
Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev faced off 14 times. Their actual head to head record is 9-5 for Fritz.