Historic expansion: ATP confirms 10th Masters 1000 event to debut in Saudi Arabia in 2028

Something that has been speculated for years will become a reality starting in 2028: the ATP will have a tenth Masters 1000 for the first time in its history, following an agreement between the ATP and SURJ Sports Investments, the sports investment arm of the wealthy Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), to bring a new event to the Middle East. The traditional nine Masters 1000 tournaments—established since 1990—will have a 10th event in the year.

It was something that had been speculated, but it is finalized with the ATP's announcement, though without an exact date yet. The tournament will have a 56-player draw and will not be Mandatory—just like the Monte-Carlo Masters. It will join the two events already habitually played in the Gulf—Doha and Qatar—both in February. The tournament is expected to be played around the same time, extending the Middle Eastern swing.

"This is a proud moment for us and the result of a journey that’s been years in the making. Saudi Arabia has shown a genuine commitment to tennis – not just at the professional level, but also in growing the game more broadly at all levels,” commented ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi.

“PIF’s ambition for the sport is clear, and we believe fans and players alike will be amazed by what’s coming,” he added. “Strengthening our premium events is driving record growth and transformation across the Tour, and we’re grateful to our partners at PIF and SURJ for helping deliver that growth and sharing in this vision.”

The Saudi sovereign fund has been managing efforts to bring a major Masters 1000 event for some time. Riyadh has hosted the WTA Finals since 2024, and Jeddah the Next Gen ATP Finals since 2023. The investment in tennis from the Middle East has been notable. A year ago, a strategic link was announced that associated PIF with ATP events such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and the Nitto ATP Finals.

“Bringing an ATP Masters 1000 event to Saudi Arabia is a major step forward for tennis in the region and a reflection of our shared commitment with ATP to the growth of the game around the world,” commented Bander Bin Mogren, Chairman of SURJ Sports Investment.

Investments in tennis have been significant from the Arabs in recent years, considering the realization of the Six Kings Slam—with a multi-million dollar prize of $6 million for the champion in its two editions. Rafael Nadal was also announced as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation. Other stars like Matteo Berrettini and Paula Badosa have followed the same path, and the region is an increasingly important voice in the tennis world.

“This tournament is more than an event; it is a statement of ambition, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s role as a global sports hub,” Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, added. “In partnership with ATP, we are committed to creating an extraordinary experience for players and fans, while advancing our mission to develop sport at every level.”

Thus, Saudi Arabia will have the 10th Masters 1000 of the season, and it is not ruled out that it could become a mixed event in the future. The prize money depends on the organizers, so there is no tentative figure, neither maximum nor minimum, although they will likely offer a substantial prize to attract the biggest stars, at a time of the year that coincides with the South American clay-court swing. "The tournaments can pay whatever they want, and the ATP's prerogative is the distribution of money by rounds," Gaudenzi added.

• Indian Wells, Miami Open: March

• Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid Open: April

• Rome: May

• Canadian Open: July

• Cincinnati Open: August

• Shanghai Masters: October

• Paris Masters: October