Tennis fans were stunned during the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh when a spectator unexpectedly ran onto the court and attempted to coax Jannik Sinner into giving up his Nike jacket.
The bizarre encounter, which unfolded right after last year’s winner defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, highlighted another glaring security lapse at a high-profile tennis event. Social media erupted as fans voiced concern and disbelief over the incident, drawing comparisons to a similar episode Sinner faced earlier this year at the US Open.
What Happened When a Fan Stormed Jannik Sinner’s Court in Riyadh?
The Six Kings Slam, part of the Riyadh Season, is one of the richest exhibition tournaments in the sport. It will take place from Oct. 15 to 18 at the ANB Arena on indoor hard courts. The event features six of the top male tennis players in the world: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Tsitsipas.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded directly into the semifinals, while the remaining four players battle in the quarterfinals. Each participant is guaranteed $1.5 million, with the winner earning an additional $4.5 million.
The incident with Sinner unfolded calmly at first. The fan walked onto the court unimpeded and approached the Italian player to shake his hand. Cameras caught the exchange as the fan began poking at Sinner’s jacket, seemingly attempting to claim the Nike apparel.
Sinner, looking slightly confused but composed, engaged politely with the fan for several seconds before a security guard arrived and escorted the intruder away. Sinner then simply hoisted his bag and walked off the court.
A fan walked on the court & spoke to Jannik Sinner after his win over Tsitsipas at Six Kings Slam.
Jannik is just chatting it up before security removes him
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 15, 2025
This marked the second unusual fan encounter Sinner has faced this year. During the US Open, a fan attempted to steal items from Sinner’s bag near the stands after his fourth-round match against Alexander Bublik. Quick intervention by security prevented the theft, but the pattern of lapses has raised concern among fans about player safety.
How Are Fans Reacting to the Latest Security Lapse?
Many social media users were quick to react to the Riyadh incident. Some expressed outright frustration, noting the repetitive nature of the situation, saying, “AGAIN??? This is dangerous. Didn’t someone also try to get his stuff at the Open.”
Others criticized the fan’s sense of entitlement, writing, “The entitlement to think you could walk up to a random person and request their jacket.”
Concern for proper security measures was also prominent, with one user questioning, “How does this continue to happen at the highest level in tennis? THIS IS INSANE. Where is the security?”
Another added, “Oh my goodness. Security guards or stewards should be with Jannik Sinner and all the high-profile players at all times. I don’t think this fan posed a risk, but fans getting within arm’s length of any high-profile player at any event is just not good.”
The incident even drew reminders of past tragedies, as one fan wrote, “A great failure of security. The guy walked towards Jannik and no one stopped him. What if he had attacked him? Remember Monica Seles?”
Others emphasized the seriousness of the breach, commenting, “Not a laughing matter. Serious security breach and could have had disastrous consequences,” and noting the fan’s clear intent, “He wanted Sinner’s jacket by the looks of the gesturing. Well too bad. And where the heck was security, took ‘em long enough to act.”
Looking ahead, Sinner advanced to the semifinals, where he’ll face Novak Djokovic. The winner of this match will take on either Carlos Alcaraz or Taylor Fritz in the final.
MORE: Jannik Sinner Gets Honest on US Open Security After Fan’s Attempt To Steal From His Bag Goes Viral
