Saudi Arabia to host new ATP Masters 1000 tournament: Details and criticism

ATP Announces New Masters 1000 Tournament in Saudi Arabia

The ATP has confirmed the creation of a new Masters 1000 level event in Saudi Arabia, according to an official announcement made on Thursday. In collaboration with SURJ Sports Investments, part of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, the tournament is scheduled to debut on the tennis calendar starting in 2028. Saudi Arabia already hosts the year-end WTA Finals and the Next Gen ATP 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 WTA’s new maternity leave program.

This is the result of a journey that has taken years of work. Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a genuine commitment to tennis, not only at a professional level, but also in the growth of the game in general 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

The announcement of the new tournament has generated diverse reactions in the tennis community. While some celebrate the expansion of tennis to new regions, others express concerns about the impact of the increasing workload for the players. The specific timing of the event in Saudi Arabia, as well as the host city and venue, were not announced. This will be the tenth ATP Masters tournament, the highest level of tennis events outside of the 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. 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 concerns about the length and intensity of the season, as well as 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.