Saudi Arabia to host new ATP Masters 1000 tournament from 2028

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

The ATP announced this Thursday the creation of a new Masters 1000 level event in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the world of professional tennis. In collaboration with SURJ Sports Investments, part of the Saudi Arabian 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 tennis, as it currently hosts the 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. In addition, PIF 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 preparation.

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 both fans and players will be impressed with what is to come. Despite criticism of human rights in Saudi Arabia, the new tournament is presented as an opportunity for the growth of tennis. The ATP has not announced the exact date or host city of the event, but it is expected to be the tenth ATP Masters tournament, the highest level of tennis events outside of the Grand Slams. 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 Masters, 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 duration 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.