New Masters 1000 Tournament in Saudi Arabia
The ATP has announced the creation of a new Masters 1000 category tournament in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the professional tennis circuit. In collaboration with SURJ Sports Investments, part of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the tournament is scheduled to debut on the tennis calendar starting in 2028. This event adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in tennis, as it currently hosts the year-end WTA Finals and the ATP Next Gen Finals. This new Masters tournament represents PIF’s latest foray into tennis. The fund is the official world ranking partner for both the ATP and WTA and has partnerships with several major events, including Indian Wells and Madrid. PIF also sponsors the recently launched maternity leave program by the WTA.The announcement of the new tournament has generated diverse reactions. While the ATP celebrates the expansion of tennis, a debate is expected on the impact of another tournament on the players’ calendar. The exact date of the event in Saudi Arabia, as well as the city and venue where it will be held, have not yet been announced. This tournament will be the tenth ATP Masters tournament, the highest level of tennis events outside of the Grand Slams, and the first to be launched since this category was introduced in 1990. ATP players with a ranking that allows them direct entry must currently participate in eight of the nine Masters 1000 level tournaments, with exceptions for injury. Monte Carlo, which is played in April, is the only Masters event that is not mandatory. Many players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff, have expressed their concern about the duration and intensity of the travel season, in addition to the extended format (from one week to 12 days) of several 1000-level events. The addition of another mandatory tournament on the men’s circuit could be met with mixed reactions.This is the result of a journey that has taken years of preparation. Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a genuine commitment to tennis, not only at a professional level, but also in the growth of the sport more broadly at all levels. The PIF’s ambition for the sport is clear, and we believe that both fans and players will be surprised by what is to come.
Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman