Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner created buzz at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh after making a lighthearted comment during a media interaction. The world No. 2, competing in the high-profile tournament, gave fans a glimpse into his playful side when he responded to a question about which Hollywood star could portray him in a film.
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, sparking reactions from tennis fans around the world and catching the attention of Will Smith himself.
Jannik Sinner’s Response at Six Kings Slam Caught Will Smith’s Attention
Sinner demonstrated his elite form at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets during the quarterfinal round. The Italian needed just 76 minutes to dispatch the Greek star, winning 6-2, 6-3 to secure his place in the semifinals. He then continued his strong showing by beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals.
The victory set up a final clash with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, with both players competing for the lucrative prize money on offer at the exhibition event. This marks the seventh consecutive final meeting between these two top players, the sixth time this year.
During the tournament, Sinner participated in a media session where he answered an amusing question about casting choices for a potential biopic. When asked which Hollywood actor would play him in a movie, Sinner responded with a smile and said, “Let’s go with Will Smith. Why not? Different but good!” before laughing at his own answer.
When Smith got to know about this answer from Sinner, he responded on his Instagram story. The Hollywood star posted an Instagram post from Bleacher Report that read, “Jannik Sinner wants Will Smith to play him in a movie.”
Smith then took things further by posting another Instagram story featuring an edited image where he photoshopped his face onto a photo from the Wimbledon 2025 trophy ceremony, showing himself holding the championship trophy in place of Sinner. He added his enthusiastic response, writing “I’M IN!!!!!!” on the story while tagging Sinner.
The playful response delighted tennis and movie fans alike, bringing together two worlds in an entertaining social media moment.
MORE: Novak Djokovic Blames Jannik Sinner for the Way Their Match Ended at Six Kings Slam
How Did the Online Tennis Community React to Sinner’s Answer?
The comment from Sinner spread rapidly across social media platforms, with tennis fans sharing the clip and reacting to the unexpected choice. Many laughed, while others posted funny GIFs on X to show their reactions.
One fan wrote, “Of all the names he could’ve picked Will Smith caught everyone off guard ????”
A few fans supported Sinner’s response, with one fan writing, “Waiting for that????????” while another wrote, “Jannik choosing Will Smith was unexpected but somehow makes perfect sense????”
One fan continued the humorous situation, writing, “he is so deeply unserious????????????”
Smith already has considerable experience with tennis through his work in the 2021 biographical sports drama “King Richard.” The film tells the story of Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. Smith portrayed the determined patriarch who guided his daughters from the public courts of Compton, California, to international tennis stardom.
The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in 2022. The role required Smith to understand the sport’s nuances and the dedication required to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis.