Historic expansion: ATP confirms 10th Masters 1000 event to debut in Saudi Arabia in 2028
ATPThursday, 23 October 2025 at 18:00
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.”
Big Saudi investment in tennis
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.
Masters 1000 Tournaments starting 2028:
• Saudi Arabia: February
• 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
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- These guys are either clueless... or covering for Vukov. The cause (Vukov) happens first; the Effect happens second. This is looking very volatile and hurtful. We want the Elena we used to know to return. Shame on WTA for giving-in to Vukov's monthly piles of submissions and applications begging for his return to tennis.
mandoist12-11-2025 - Dementieva is way off-base in her uninformative statements here. Why was this "article" even written? She knows nothing, was not on the tour and, according to her, she did not see nor hear Vukov's actions. She is absolutely wrong saying "no one knows". There were first-hand witnesses of Vukov's behaviors who were deposed in the investigation. What the investigation revealed were/are officially sealed and no one will ever see the findings without a court order. Very few people read the final documents -- at least one of them remained silent but did state they were "stunned" by what they read. Dementieva has no place here. As for Lena, she is extremely and openly bitter toward WTA and this is not likely to end well. Denial is her perogative; but it will not serve her future in a positive way. She already is acting like Vukov. Elena is not the person she used to be; and that is sad.mandoist12-11-2025
- Until WTA and ATP stop acting like he MONOPOLY they are, they are likely to continue to disregard any and all of these proposals. Currently they practice the Art Of Not Listening (okay, in the one meeting last July the Elitist committee members "listened" and agreed to "consider the options"... then did nothing). WTA / ATP continue to 'kick the can down the road' in their obstinance.mandoist11-11-2025
- Not the brightest ball in the can. Period.mandoist10-11-2025
- Sabalenka takes her losses very hard but she absolutely MUST exercise a bit more control over her tongue!Rapunzel10-11-2025
- Chair umpires are more often than not (this season in particular) making what seems like unsatisfactory "discretionary calls". The disconnect between what are WTA/ATP regulations (written in black & white) in their own Rulebook 2025 and actual ENFORCEMENT of said rules is more than obvious. Time to get Chair Ump's on the same page. Discretion is not really working once you consider countless non-calls for destroying racquets, smashing balls at or near people on the playing surfaces, smashing balls violently into the stands, cheating the serving time clock -- and, yes, screaming and shouting ad nauseum even through an opponent's returns [Sabalenka's 'performances' are clearly beyond "hindrance" according to rulebook]. These issues can be easily resolved. However, as we have seen all too often, Pro Tennis has no reasonable 'Checks and Balances'. They are a closed door entity... and that is very likely not a sustainable position to uphold in this century of sport.mandoist10-11-2025
- Sabalenka should have spoken to Elena at the trophy ceremony using these words someone wrote for her social media post. A 'thank you' post which did not include a mention of Rybakina or her team. Even taking into account she is not a bright person, and her borderline sarcasm, Sabalenka is a bad loser who cannot control her reactions and/or negative actions during and after matches.mandoist10-11-2025
- It would be interesting (to me) to know what made WTA change their minds about the Vukov ban and reinstate him in such a short amount of time? Possibly the fact they were tired of having to officially deal with Vukov's bi-weekly applications he submitted for his reinstatement? We'll never see the official charges in the documents; they are legally sealed. But some who have seen the charges were stunned by the findings. So his reinstatement made no sense at all to the inner circle. FWIW: Having attended tourneys since August, I personally witnessed Lena & Vukov sniping and bickering with one another on several occasions. I doubt this chapter is over.mandoist09-11-2025
- Ater years of her ridiculous screaming (which has only increased to the point of unfairness -- aka: "Hinderance") I can no longer justify her actions nor my participation as a viewer. I did watch the Pegula & Anisimova matches out of hope that they win... but without audio. We have never received an explanation as to why Sabalenka is afforded the privilege of, in her ever-lengthening Amazon yells, allowed to scream all the way through an opponent's strike at the ball. How is that not a 'hinderance'?? I won't get started on the pathetic Saudi Sportswashing of pro sports.mandoist08-11-2025
- Iga Swiatek was right. This chair umpire cares more about her looks.MrAndreeva06-11-2025
Loading