Rafael Nadal starts his pre-retirement farewell tour against Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday at the Six Kings Slam, and Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner at the exhibition event that awards money but no ATP ranking points and is Saudi Arabia’s latest foray into tennis.

Rafael Nadal outlined his respect for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner but encouraged the media not to compare them to him or his greatest rivals. The era of Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic dominating tennis and playing each other when at or near their peaks is considered by most to be the greatest the sport has ever seen.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who own 46 Grand Slam singles titles between them, will be among the tennis stars competing for the largest purse in tennis history.

When is Nadal vs Alcaraz? Start time today and how to watch Six Kings Slam tennis live on TV - Spain duo go head to head in Riyadh for the final time before Rafael Nadal retires next month

Carlos Alcaraz has warned Rafael Nadal he is “going to go full power” and play “without fear” in the pair’s clash at the Six Kings Slam exhibition. The world No 2 is “not surprised” Nadal is practicing at “100%” and he expects his idol to be “stronger than ever before” in the match despite his recent inactivity.

The Six Kings Slam is the most lucrative exhibition tennis tournament ever, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the country’s annual sporting season.

The exhibition tournament held in Riyadh, where the winner takes home six million (more than double the US Open), will be the penultimate for the Balearic player before his retirement in the Davis Cup Rafa Nadal,