Andy Roddick isn't denying that the Saudis probably overpaid the Six Kings Slam participants but also noted that it is easier for an event to pay the winner $6 million when there are only six players competing and not over 100 as in Grand Slams.
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In case you missed it, Jannik Sinner collected the biggest-ever prize money in tennis history after beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-3 in the final of the exhibition event that took place in Riyadh.
Besides the two top-ranked players in the game, there were four other major names - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune. While the Italian went home with a stunning $6 million prize money, every other participant received at least $1.5 million. Naturally, it led to some bringing up the sportswashing claims.
For context, Sinner collected $3.5 million for winning this year's Australian Open and another $3.6 million for making it all the way at the US Open.
Roddick shares his take on Sinner's huge payday
The 2003 US Open champion, who earned just over $20 million in prize money during his career, first stopped what appeared to be a sarcastic comment before getting serious on the matter.
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"It definitely doesn't make me sick to my stomach that he made more than 25% of my career prize money in three days of exhibition tennis... For better or worse, we're going to see more of these types of things these exhibition matches with outsized budgets. Its easier to pay Jannik Sinner $6 million when you're not responsible for 122 other players at an event, plus doubles, and all the other expenses," the former world No. 1 explained on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
At the start of November, Riyadh will host the WTA Finals. Later that month, Jeddah will host the Next Gen ATP Finals. Considering that the ATP struck a deal with the Saudis earlier this year, it is probably just a matter before they get more tournaments to host.
