Tennis is on the verge of a historic expansion, as the ATP has confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host its first-ever Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2028, marking the first addition to the elite category in over three decades.
The event, backed by SURJ Sports Investments, a company under the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will feature a 56-player draw, played over one week on hard courts, and will be non-mandatory, similar to Monte Carlo. Scheduled for February, it will slot into the early-season swing that already includes Doha and Dubai, adding a big tournament to the calendar’s Middle Eastern leg.
A New Era Begins for Tennis
The ATP called the move a proud moment years in the making, with Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi praising Saudi Arabia’s genuine commitment to tennis at every level.
“This marks a new era for our sport,” said Gaudenzi. “Saudi Arabia has shown long-term vision and ambition to grow tennis globally.”
SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend added that the event aligns with Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to diversify the Kingdom’s economy through sport.
“We’re not replacing anything,” Townsend said. “This is about growing the game, building world-class infrastructure, and creating opportunities for future generations.”
The exact city will be confirmed in the coming months, though Riyadh remains the frontrunner, with plans underway for a new world-class venue. The ATP also confirmed that proceeds from the partnership would fund calendar optimization and boost the Masters bonus pool to encourage top-player participation.
Tennis in Saudi Arabia
While the Middle East has long had a presence on the tennis map with Qatar and the UAE hosting major events for decades, Saudi Arabia’s tennis push is far more recent and ambitious.
Riyadh hosted the WTA Finals in 2024, in a three-year deal running through 2026, at the King Saud University Indoor Arena. Meanwhile, Jeddah became home to the Next Gen ATP Finals from 2023, staged at King Abdullah Sports City. Both events had record prize money for their respective events.
The Kingdom also appointed Rafael Nadal as an official ambassador in 2024 in a 10-year deal reportedly worth $500 million, a move aimed at promoting grassroots growth and global exposure. In parallel, the Six Kings Slam, a Riyadh Season-backed exhibition boasting a $6 million winner’s prize, has quickly become the most lucrative non-tour event in tennis, headlined by stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in back-to-back editions.
What This Means for Tennis
The addition of a Saudi Masters 1000 represents both opportunity and controversy. On one hand, it marks a historic expansion of the ATP’s top tier and could inject new investment, technology, and visibility into the sport. This reflects the ATP’s desire to tap into new markets and long-term financial sustainability. On the other hand, it intensifies concerns about an already gruelling calendar that runs nearly year-round and raises renewed debate around sportswashing and the growing influence of state-backed capital in global sport.
For now, the message from all the tennis governing bodies is clear: Saudi Arabia is no longer a spectator in tennis; it is a central player in shaping its future.
Main Photo Credit: Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]