Struggling star pockets $38k per minute despite 59-minute exit

(Getty/Clive Brunskill)

Three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev has suffered heartbreak on multiple occasions, but his latest loss won't impact him after checking his bank balance.

Zverev, 28, participated in the first round of Saudi Arabia's Six Kings Slam — the second edition of the exhibition tournament.

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The world No.3 suffered his seventh straight defeat against American Taylor Fritz in what was a routine 6-3, 6-4 scoreline.

Despite exiting the wealthy event, Zverev leaves with a massive A$2.3 million payday, having earned A$38,500 per minute in his 59-minute beating.

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The No.1 American will next face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

"I'd love for them to show me a tournament where you can go play three matches — well, for the top two seeds, two matches — and potentially make $6 million," Fritz said in Riyadh earlier this week. "I'd love to hear that from them."

On the same day, Jannik Sinner easily dispatched Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, setting up another meeting with 38-year-old Novak Djokovic.

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