Alexander Zverev lands £19,000 per minute in Taylor Fritz defeat at Six Kings Slam

Alexander Zverev fell at the first hurdle in the Six Kings Grand Slam in Saudi Arabia. He lost 6-3, 6-4 to American Taylor Fritz, but will still earn a huge payday for his appearance.

The big-money exhibition tournament sees some of the biggest names in tennis compete across three days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As well as Zverev and Fritz, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are taking part.

For competing in the tournament, each player earns a $1.5 million (£1,120,830) appearance fee. The winner will be awarded a huge $4.5 million (£3.36 million).

Zverev's game against Fritz was over quickly, with the American coming out victorious in just 59 minutes. Given the appearance fee earned by Zverev, it works out at £18,997 per minute he was on court.

Fritz's reward for his victory is a meeting with world No.1 Alcaraz in the semi-final. Alcaraz and Djokovic were given byes straight to the semi-finals.

The loss for Zverev follows an early exit at the Shanghai Masters. He lost in three sets to finalist Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 32.

Last year's Six King's Grand Slam saw Sinner crowned as champion, beating Alcaraz in th final. Sinner has booked him place in the semi-final with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

He will take on Djokovic his final four match. The winner will take on either Alcaraz or Fritz in the final on Saturday.