RODDICK talks SIX KINGS SLAM

[@joannemoore3976]

Yes, I understand some of the concerns about sports washing, and I know it was a ridiculous amount of money but I really enjoyed it. The level of tennis was great, the last dance between Novak and Rafa was genuinely moving, and I think Sinner needed that win against Alcaraz psychologically in the context of the year.

[@LB-lyft]

totally agree 😊

[@rolanddecarli6938]

I am of your opinion. It's not easy to separate the game from the Saudi government's attempt at manipulation: and as I was watching the match sinner alcaraz every now and then I thought but how nice is Turki Alalshikh .... But boy a few years ago his government dissolved a journalist in acid and nothing can change that.

[@keacyut7]

If it is an exo so it probably matters less to Carlos but understand why it matters to Sinner. Sinner has not beaten Carlos when it matters the most but it is a step.

[@HeavyTopspin]

The Saudis really lucked into the perfect time for this, being able to include Alcaraz and Sinner when they are #2 and #1 while still getting a mostly in-form Novak and a not-yet-retired Rafa. And yes, of course they spent more on this than the year-end WTA event, because that specific lineup (and particularly Novak/Rafa and Sinner/Alcaraz matches) ensured more overall interest than any women's tournament since Serena's retirement.

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

Remove the last 3 words and your statement is still true.

[@prashant9108]

Can't believe what I am hearing. The matches were epic, with each player giving it all! Yes we can always question the morality of the country, etc, but saying this was just song and dance is simply wrong.

[@gregnelson588]

But it was just all song and dance?

[@d.nakamura9579]

I’m just glad that the ATP is not counting these matches in their official H2H or W/L records. This was an exhibition for money, not an ATP event.

[@wisdon]

No one concerned about morality of the genocide in Palestine

[@jooohan-i9o]

@@wisdon I think plenty of people are concerned about that

[@charlesgraves4565]

I loved the six kings slam.

[@LB-lyft]

me too ! 🤫🤭🤗

[@antoniopallucca9781]

@@LB-lyft So am I !

[@danielarieder6657]

Ich auch🎉

[@ROYAL_REBEL]

Yup, all top level players.

[@Kumagood]

Better than ATP Finals

[@pacific559]

Sinner beat Medvedev, Novak, and Alcaraz to get it though He only had to beat two of those guys to win the Australian

[@Jay23445]

Ridiculous level

[@richardcourtney4515]

If folks are going to call out Saudi Arabia putting on tennis events despite human rights issues, let’s also call out the ATP and WTA returning to China despite their long and extensive human rights abuses. It’s all about the 💵💵💵

[@JohnSmith-sm7ez]

Taking 800 million out of poverty was pretty remarkable.But US and china having camps with no due process is pretty poor. Even though chinas region , where they had problems has 6% growth and a tripling of the Muslim population, and now no terror attacks. I would rather live there than a U.S. ghetto.

[@UTUBE3JC]

Boxing goes to Saudi now, f1 has a race there, golf, soccer. They are investing a lot in a lot of sports but yeah they do have a lot of…. Differences from the western cultures they are wanting to be friends with.

[@shafqatishan437]

China is your concern and not USA, France, UK etc?

[@Tom_TheDon]

Boxing, golf, football and now tennis. The way it’s going folks. We have no say, money talks

[@zetristan4525]

6 Kings the actual tennis was really good, and Gigi was the most beautiful doubles player ever!

[@dannykulesa3642]

Great as always, Jon!

[@quintasinfonia4990]

No pueden haber six… sin el circuito. Solo en un circuito se sabe quiénes son los mejores. Los ricos haces cosas extravagantes y esta es una de esas. En el marco de la desigualdad de este mundo, incluso en tenis es una extravagancia.

[@AdhiNarayananYR]

I disagree. This event was more than fun and games. The matches were interesting and well contested. And the match ups were got was phenomenal to say the least.

[@tsaageotrimm]

Sports washing is so widely spread, it's scary.

[@tds7078]

I’m glad you’re talking about this subject. I follow tennis heavily but have been very busy recently and missed the promotion for this event. Feels like it got astroturfed online as a way to get tennis to a wider market but the political undertones and oil money surrounding it is sus…

[@tyesoteric]

Love Gigi for her heart

[@stillinrock]

Great video with nuanced points of view. Your discussion reminded me of Thomas Sowell’ A Conflict of Visions. You guys represent the “unconstrained vision” he presents in the book. Give it a read, it’s a fabulous writing to inform that discussion.

[@pebblesebrada5257]

I loved the 6 K❤🎉ings Slam

[@peggyhui7389]

Take it up with the Saudi, leave the players alone.

[@concettadalimonte8476]

E solo 😂bizness 😊😊😊😂😂😂😂

[@chubbygirl9971]

Please, these players deserve it, the pleasure people get from watching them play is priceless😘😘😘

[@fantolaus]

Andy, would you have participated if you were invited? Would anyone of you have said "NO, it's too much money!", in that case? Just to know... And, btw, every match was truly competitive, no showtime or jokes: just battle.

[@Rodrigolc86]

Honestly the situation for lgbt+ people, women and just people in general is a bit worse in the Middle East than in China. But it’s true than we should talk about more that just one country or region.

[@JohnSmith-sm7ez]

A bit worse. China’s stats are incredible. One of the safest countries globally, 800 million out of poverty, less than 2% poverty overall. Life expectancy about to overtake US, job opportunities are incredible, education is incredible, tourism is booming. So in general doing better than anywhere, Plus less regulation than US and they get to vote at local level. However they love the system right now. And most importantly, you can drink beer anywhere in public!

[@xux1459]

As a fan, I love the event and I wish I could have attended in person.

[@sergio-qb5wy]

great matches not really just a circus

[@d.nakamura9579]

# Free Shuai Peng

[@natalybarcia2568]

The payment here has an ethical component; they pay massive amount of money for puting apart the fact of problems like human rights, woman treatment etc… so they pay a lot because basically if they dont put tons of dollars none of the players will go And the “media/marketing” is like it is for sportship growing in Saudi “yes yes” I trust you “sure” Thanks for the gppd podcast guys

[@AbC-df7bq]

They are not starting any wars, no? Human rights, diferent culture maybe. Who is to call them out? And because they sponsor w big money, what can possibly be wrong with that and what politics has to do with that? How is our goverment doing?

[@d.nakamura9579]

@@AbC-df7bqin terms of individual freedom and liberty and free speech rights, I’d say that most countries are doing A HELL of a lot better. Those doing worse are few but notable- North Korea, Russia, and maybe Cuba. People flee those countries for a reason.

[@deboraheden6418]

I really enjoyed it. In that said I felt uncomfortable for the obvious reasons.

[@d.nakamura9579]

I sensed a stiffness and formality by everyone there, including and especially Novak during his speech. Those guys have to know that they need to tread carefully in a country that would have no qualms in denying their their freedom for saying the wrong thing. Scary.

[@giovannidepetris6335]

The tennis was excellent what is your problem?

[@tds7078]

This feels like this is all a lead up to the inevitable announcement of a 5th Major being introduced in the Middle East…

[@Mntguy-nr9vl]

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@Mntguy-nr9vl]

The ATP has no business in countries like China and Saudi Arabia. You can't ban Russia but go to other communist countries or countries where women are raped on buses by 20 people and considered to be subservient. It's hypocritical and gross and if they ever have a fifth grand slam in the Middle East that would be laughable and the last day I watch tennis.

[@MauroJourney]

5th Major I doubt it 🤔; a new Master 1000 tournament is much more likely. But with money, lots of it, (almost) everything is possible... 🤑

[@jooohan-i9o]

No point paying other 120 odd players to be a cannon fodder, really. Just take the best 8 and make them play more matches.

[@andrew.turner]

Super happy Sinner won that 6 mil. He needed it. Those steroids aren't gonna pay for themselves

[@d_lydian]

Money destroys the world. When is enough enough?

[@antoniopallucca9781]

Simpaticissimo Roddick, prima - forse non ricordi - c'erano le racchette con il telaio di legno (tanto tempo fa). La società muta e con essa gli eventi. Ora ci sono i "verdoni" (dollari) che volano copiosi. Forse, simpatico campione , dovevi dire (senza pudore) : "Se fossi nato qualche decennio dopo , probabilmente mi sarei trovato nella stessa situazione di Sinner o Alcaraz...". Money, money, money (questa canzone l'avete lanciata voi made in USA).

[@abstractfitness1282]

I’m glad someone put this event irrelevant of the pay outs

[@alburaq3290]

That old guy with the glasses sounds bitter and jealous.

[@olemanolete1]

what a contrasting episode, on one hand the money flooding in arabia, and on the other needing money to solve lives from the floods from the hurricane,

[@isabellasmith8377]

Human rights abuses happening all over the world. They just played in China for much lesser pay. How weird….

[@blackkitty9054]

Tournaments in other countries are not organised by the governments, the 6k slam was organised by the Saudi Arabia government, that's the difference. For a few days, these top players were government employees, and they were paid handsomely.

[@JohnSmith-sm7ez]

So taking 800 million out of poverty and virtually no crime nowadays is abuse? Yes they put Isis fighters in prison(camps). US did the same with Guantanamo. That region in China now has 6% growth and a booming economy.

[@ROYAL_REBEL]

So Sinner received $7.5 Million in total

[@geoairtravel]

When big 💰💰💰 is offered players forget about the long 🎾🎾🎾 season. #sportswashing

[@Aliceteacup]

I have a question for Andy. Sinner is on court trying out 3 new racquets by the same brand. Why are they all painted black? Is this like a blind taste test? Thanks.

[@POK2008]

He is testing prototypes that aren't available yet on the market. He may or may not make a switch to a "new" racquet. However, if he does make a change, the change won't be vastly different to what he is using. Pro's do this all the time.

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

It can be another source of excuses for their fans to claim when their idol lose.

[@metalgearsolidsnake6978]

I mean the players can reject it, and Alcarez said he did it for the money!

[@BVBDavid-ro3cr]

Saudi will maybe have a 5th grand slam tournament or something like they’ve got the economics to offer

[@MauroJourney]

Probably a Master 1000 tournament, definitely not a Grand Slam, unless they buy up the entire ATP (and they would be capable of doing that...). 🤑🤨

[@BVBDavid-ro3cr]

@@MauroJourney Tennis Super League breakaway from ATP Tour?

[@MauroJourney]

@@BVBDavid-ro3cr Good question... If players want "sports glory", the answer is no. If they want to monetize their skills to the maximum, considering that the career of an athlete is relatively short, the answer could be yes.

[@roccovolante9299]

the whole tournament was outsized and excessive, for the prize money etc. etc., however looking back, congratulations, they probably managed to get what they wanted. There was the handover between the old and the new generation in the semifinals, the last match between Novak and Rafa, one of the first adult challenges between Jannik and Carlos. Perhaps in a few years we will look back and think that this tournament was a milestone in contemporary tennis.

[@d.nakamura9579]

Nah. At the end of the day it was an exhibition for a lot of money. Not even recorded in ATP W/L or H2H records. And that is how it should be

[@fantolaus]

@@d.nakamura9579 based on statistics, you're absolutely right, but would you confirm your statings after having watched them play? Probably, the only exhibition game was the one between Nole and Rafa, who's evidently become the pale shadow of himself...

[@playtoyappz]

Andy I don't know if you realize you come off as a salty person jealous of what these players earned in a couple matches... Especially Sinner. Perhaps you didn't mean to but this is what your video transmits to the viewer.

[@d.nakamura9579]

No, it really doesn’t. The fact that these guys were even offered such prize money is a direct result of the success of the ATP tour and players who built it up to where it is now. Andy Roddick is most definitely one of those players. Those who don’t acknowledge the debt they owe to their predecessors are the ungrateful ones. Luckily, none of the six are like that. Only you have a bug up your A$$ about Andy’s take on it. And there’s still the nagging issues of human rights abuses and state funded terrorism issues… SMH

[@playtoyappz]

@@d.nakamura9579 Nobody has denied Andy's achievements, or any of his predecessors. But this doesn't mean he didn't sound salty in this video. These are two different things. And if the Saudi's offered such a prize money right now and not before, perhaps is thanks to this batch of new players and their talent?... About the human rights, the tour should stop then playing in all the Arabian countries altogether, same as with the Chinese ones... stop cherry nitpicking with your bias, sounds quite hypocrite. The mental gymnastics in your reply is quite something.

[@1trife90]

They played a full season. When they start skipping other tournaments and grand slams, then make a podcast. But if they choose to play an *extra* tournament, because they’re good enough to be asked, then STFU about it. The pathetic digging for stories anytime the Middle East is involved is embarrassing.

[@samkenny3075]

I would love to hear more reactions to the six kings promo video-- i...loved... it... but I'm not sure for the reasons the makers intended me to love it. here it is in case anyone's interested-- it's bonkers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHqvf62woquemcUsi=OAb5yfVVZJNiOk1l how would Andy feel about being CGI-ed like this?

[@d.nakamura9579]

Saudis are doing the same thing in golf. Buying their way into sports.

[@gabriellacerrato2390]

I think it’s disgusting that those 6 tennis professionals went to Saudi Arabia for this $-loaded exhibition. SA has a terrible human rights record, Khashoggi and more.. What would they have lost by not going? Money. I really liked all of them, at least the image they show on social media. I am a huge fan of Rafa, Carlos, Jannik, I like Novak and Medvedev as person, but I really don’t like what they did. Today Anthony Blinken is in SA to talk about the war in Gaza, and we know SA plays a big role in this process. Yet our 6 tennis professionals were there just a few days ago making ton of $ and posting about their wonderful experience. South Africa boycott, anyone? Like I said, disgusting.

[@alburaq3290]

Why should they care about human rights when US is friends with Saudi Arabia with a literal defense treaty? It's obvious US doesn't care about human rights.

[@1trife90]

I assume you also want these players to boycott all US-related tournaments because of the US human rights record, right? RIGHT?!? Exactly. Didn’t think so. Shut up. Get over it.

[@King_K_Rool_]

Blood money

[@GhostofGerulaitis]

"Blood money." 😂 The US and the UK are currently backing a genocide in Palestine.

[@sandrogherbassi3140]

I have a hard time understanding your amazement since you live in the country where if one who has no money can die on the street !!!! This is capitalism !!! if we take the “good” we cannot be hypocrites about the “bad”

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Salty AF from Roddick and the Gang on the Six Kings Slam! Had he been active, he would have jumped at this opportunity himself... this kinda hypocrisy has put me off of him for sure! Bye!!!

[@Tom_TheDon]

Bye 🙋‍♂️

[@dcaudwell]

This just seems like all kinds of wrong to me! Not a good look for tennis.

[@f2slide21]

Roddick has no issue playing and winning the 2003 US open, whilst the US was carpet bombing Baghdad. Talk about a double standard

[@t3cchan]

Us open is not sponsored by the US government. Not the same thing at all

[@mvdqp]

Andy Roddick was 21 when he won the US Open in 2003. What did you want a 21-year-old athlete to do(?)

[@MsRoy523]

is it illegal to think in the us?

[@GhostofGerulaitis]

You're pointing out a deep hypocrisy from capitalist, Western sports institutions, as you should. People are gonna come for you with every nonsense excuse imaginable. Just ignore them. They are motivated by cultural supremacy and can't handle a more comprehensive geopolitical analysis.

[@paulelverstone8677]

How is that even remotely relevant?...

[@olemanolete1]

I dont like these kind of events, makes no sense, but these guys are buying events and the players, hard to stop when there is a lot of money

[@sergio-qb5wy]

laver cup is as bad as six kings and the davis cup has been destroyed. So all good

[@fk9400]

Middle east deserves a grand slam....you are racist roddick

[@sapientbudgie5652]

Slave money. Despicable.

[@cargovox7542]

:)

[@will.davlin]

wool socks to bed=dreams like before your adult brain atrophied🟪🟫🔵💭🙏🏻🟣👎😶