Saudi Arabia to host ATP Masters tournament: New event in 2028

New Masters 1000 Tournament in Saudi Arabia: A Milestone for World Tennis

The ATP announced this Thursday the launch of a new Masters 1000 level event in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in professional tennis. In collaboration with SURJ Sports Investments, part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the tournament is scheduled to debut on the tennis calendar as early as 2028. This event adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the world of tennis, as it currently hosts the year-end WTA Finals and the Next Gen ATP Finals.

This new Masters tournament represents PIF’s latest foray into tennis, which is already an official global ranking partner of both the ATP and WTA. In addition, the fund has partnerships with several prominent events, including Indian Wells and Madrid, and is a sponsor of the recently launched maternity leave program by the WTA.

This is the result of a journey that has taken years of work.

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman

ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi called the new tournament a “moment of pride” for his organization, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to tennis at a professional level and in the development of the sport in general. Gaudenzi expressed his confidence that fans and players will be impressed with what is to come. Although specific details about the date, host city, and venue of the event have not yet been announced, it is known that it will be the tenth ATP Masters tournament, the highest level of tennis events outside of Grand Slam tournaments, and the first to be launched since the 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. The Monte Carlo tournament, which is played in April, is the only Masters event that is not mandatory. Many players have expressed concern about the length and intensity of the season, as well as the extended format of several 1000-level events. The addition of another mandatory tournament on the men’s circuit could generate mixed reactions.