Saudi Arabia is set to unveil a groundbreaking ATP Masters tournament, with a projected launch in 2028—marking the first new addition to the prestigious men’s tennis tour in 35 years.
The ATP revealed the creation of this 10th Masters event recently, although Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi did not specify an exact year for its kickoff or a precise placement in the season. This development comes as players are advocating for a reevaluation of the sport’s demanding schedule.
“At this point,” Gaudenzi noted during a video conference with the press, “we can confirm it will take place at the start of the season… in the early part of the calendar.”
He expressed a preference for scheduling the week-long tournament, which will feature 56 players, in February, right after the conclusion of the Australian Open, describing this as “the optimal outcome.” The vision includes creating a circuit that allows for events in the Middle East and South America during this timeframe.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to infuse financial resources from Saudi Arabia into the tennis world and bring the sport closer to the kingdom. This includes the ATP Next Gen Finals for promising talent in Jeddah and the WTA Finals for elite female players hosted in Riyadh. Additionally, the Public Investment Fund supports the rankings for both men’s and women’s tennis.
However, Hall of Famers like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have voiced concerns over the sport’s connections to Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding issues of LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights in the region.
According to Gaudenzi, plans for the Saudi Masters are aimed for a 2028 launch, with more details to be disclosed next year.
“The specific timing within the calendar has yet to be finalized,” he stated. “February is certainly one possibility… but it remains undecided.”
Danny Townsend, the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF firm, indicated that this new event might eventually evolve into a dual-gender tournament featuring both men and women.
“There are distinct advantages to having both genders compete simultaneously. We recognize the potential boosts in ticket sales and other commercial factors that we would certainly want to maximize,” Townsend remarked. “However, that’s something for the future; we remain open to exploring possibilities.”
