Saudi Arabia is set to make a major mark on the global tennis calendar with the announcement of a new ATP Masters 1000 tournament scheduled to debut in 2028. This historic development reflects the Gulf nation’s growing influence in international sports and its expanding role in professional tennis.
A 56-player field will compete in the one-week tournament, most likely scheduled in February. The addition of this prestigious event demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s increasing ability to attract top-tier athletes and prestigious tournaments, building on its existing portfolio of international sporting events.
Saudi Arabia is already a key player in the tennis world, hosting the WTA Finals and the Next Gen ATP Finals, both sponsored by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF is also the official naming partner for both ATP and WTA rankings, emphasizing the Kingdom’s strategic investment in global sports.
ATP Masters 1000 Expansion: What This Means for Players
The new Saudi Masters will not be mandatory, reflecting concerns among players about the increasingly congested tennis calendar. ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi emphasized:
“We are dealing with players who are independent contractors, so ultimately they are free to choose their own schedule… The off-season is too short not just for players, but also for fans who need a break from the sport.”
The 2028 Saudi Masters marks the first expansion of the Masters 1000 category since its creation in 1990. The tournament will join the existing roster of elite ATP events in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Canada, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris. Monte Carlo is currently the only Masters 1000 tournament that is non-mandatory, setting a precedent for player flexibility at the new Saudi event.
The tournament will last one week, in contrast to many existing Masters events that span 12 days—a format often criticized by players. This shorter duration aims to help athletes manage workloads and reduce injuries, a growing concern in professional tennis.
Player Workload and Calendar Adjustments
Professional tennis has faced growing scrutiny over player fatigue and injury risks. Top athletes including Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper have publicly raised concerns about the demanding schedule. Alcaraz warned in 2024, “They are going to kill us in some way,” while Draper emphasized the need for calendar adaptations to ensure career longevity.
Recent withdrawals due to injuries, including Novak Djokovic from the Paris Masters, and Holger Rune, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, and Paula Badosa, underscore the importance of a balanced tennis calendar.
The Saudi Masters’ one-week format is designed to help streamline the ATP season, potentially ending the season a week earlier and reducing player fatigue.
Where Will the Saudi Tournament Fit in the ATP Calendar?
The Saudi tournament is expected to be held in February, coinciding with the Gulf region’s tennis events in Doha and Dubai. Scheduling challenges remain, as placing the tournament early in the year could conflict with preparations for the Australian Open, while February events might divert players from South American clay-court tournaments or European indoor competitions.
A proposed solution is to create two streams of February tournaments—one in the Middle East and one in South America—allowing players to choose their preferred schedule without sacrificing ranking points.
Prize money for the Saudi Masters has not yet been announced, though ATP rules set a minimum payout for Masters 1000 events. The 2025 Paris Masters, for reference, offers €6,128,940 (£5,328,338).
Potential for Women’s Tournaments in Saudi Arabia
Currently, the new Saudi ATP Masters will not include a WTA event, though future expansion is possible. There are no additional WTA 1000 licenses available at this time, but officials have expressed openness to hosting a combined men’s and women’s tournament in the Kingdom.
Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF subsidiary, stated:
“We’re very cognisant of serving both the men’s and women’s game. Having tournaments on at the same time, or at least in sequence, in Saudi Arabia would be great. We would certainly explore it if it becomes an option.”
Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in international sports, including football, golf, Formula 1, and boxing. While the Kingdom has faced criticism over human rights concerns, the 2024 WTA Finals marked the first major women’s sporting event hosted in the country, signaling a potential shift toward broader inclusion.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Saudi ATP Masters 1000 represents a significant milestone in the globalization of professional tennis. With a flexible schedule, high prize money, and strategic positioning in the ATP calendar, this tournament is expected to attract the world’s top players while helping to manage the increasingly grueling tennis season.
As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its influence in global sports, tennis fans around the world can look forward to exciting new events, world-class facilities, and a growing presence of top-ranked athletes in the Middle East.
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