TENNIS: American Fritz to headline $1 million MGM Slam in Las Vegas

Eight of the world’s top men’s professional tennis players, led by American Taylor Fritz, are set to compete for a $1 million prize pool at the MGM Slam in Las Vegas next year.

The March exhibition will use a 10-point tiebreak knockout format, with Fritz, the world number six and highest-ranked American, headlining the event. He will be joined by fellow American Tommy Paul, currently ranked 20th.

Other competitors include Norway’s Casper Ruud, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, France’s Gael Monfils, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, and Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik.

Now in its third year, the MGM Slam has hosted several high-profile match-ups, including last year’s showcase between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka, as well as one of Rafael Nadal’s final appearances before his retirement.

The event comes amid growing criticism of tennis’ relentless tour schedule. In March, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) filed a lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies, including the ATP and WTA, describing the crowded calendar as unsustainable.

Despite these concerns, exhibition matches continue to draw attention. World number one Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who have collectively won nine of the last ten Grand Slam titles, are scheduled to meet in South Korea in January.

The MGM Slam, held eight days before the Australian Open, has previously featured tennis legends such as Roger Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Maria Sharapova, highlighting its status as a premier exhibition in the tennis calendar. -Angelica Medina in Mexico City/Reuters