Assalamu alaykum - Saudi Arabia to host a new ATP Masters 1000 from 2028 onwards
Assalamu alaykum - Some news in tennis that many expected has now been made official: the ATP and SURJ Sports (a PIF-linked company) announced a new Masters 1000 event planned to take place in Saudi Arabia as early as 2028.
Details like the exact calendar spot, host city and venue haven't been confirmed yet, but SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend says they aim to “deliver a world-class tennis tournament” by 2028.
This would be the first expansion of the Masters 1000 level since the ATP Tour began in 1990. The Masters 1000s are among the most prestigious events after the four Grand Slams and the ATP Finals, offering substantial ranking points and prize money.
Adding a 10th Masters 1000 is a big change and could affect other tournaments and the tour structure. The ATP is looking at optimising the calendar, and reports suggest the deal with SURJ may include funds to buy back some licences for smaller 250 and 500 events to ease the crowded schedule.
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said the aim is to grow the premium events so fans can see the best players in top tournaments, and that adding a Masters in an important region will raise standards.
Unlike most Masters 1000s, the Saudi event will be non-mandatory, joining Monte-Carlo in that status. It will run for one week with a 56-player draw, rather than the 12-day format many other 1000s use.
Where it fits in the calendar depends on the broader optimisation plans. Gaudenzi said he prefers the tournament to be in February - alongside existing 500 events in Doha and Dubai - but acknowledged February is already crowded. He’d like to see February focused on South America and the Middle East, while redistributing other swings to different months, though that will require cooperation from organisers such as Tennis Australia.
The Middle East already has a strong presence in tennis, with several men’s and women’s events in February. The addition of a Masters 1000 could create scheduling pressure for Doha and Dubai, since the new event would offer more points and prize money. Tournament organisers in the Gulf may need to compete harder to attract top-10 players to their 500-level events.
Still, having a Masters 1000 in the Middle East for the first time could be hugely positive: it may bring more attention, investment and participation in tennis across the region, and create more opportunities for aspiring Arab players.
This announcement follows other Saudi and PIF ties to tennis: the Next Gen event in Jeddah and the WTA Finals in Riyadh have PIF involvement, and the fund has partnerships with both tours, sponsorships, and initiatives like ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF. PIF also supports WTA maternity programmes and has player endorsement deals; Rafael Nadal is an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation. The Six Kings Slam exhibition during Riyadh Season is another PIF-backed event.
Townsend said the new Masters won't replace existing kingdom events. He noted that previous tournaments have shown local appetite for tennis, with growing crowds and interest. There’s also long-standing interest in hosting a combined top-level men’s and women’s event in Saudi Arabia, which remains a possibility for the future.
Overall, this development could be a major step for tennis in the region, and insha'Allah it will boost opportunities for players and fans across the Middle East.
https://www.thenationalnews.co