The top tennis players in the world often complain about the hectic year-round calendar that takes a heavy physical and mental toll on them. But when some of them turn up for a lucrative exhibition event, promising more than the prize money for winning a Grand Slam for a little fraction of the exertion, after pulling out of a big regular Tour event citing injury, criticism is inevitable.

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz finds himself at the receiving end for headlining the Six Kings Slam, where the Spaniard will headline a field of half a dozen marquee names, which also include Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

There is a reported $4.5m on offer, with some players also likely to have been paid seven-figure sums as appearance fees.

The winner

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