Saudi Arabia to Host New ATP Masters 1000 Tournament in 2028: What It Means for Tennis

The tennis world is bracing for one of its biggest structural shifts in decades. The ATP has officially confirmed plans to introduce a tenth Masters 1000 tournament, set to debut in Saudi Arabia by 2028. For a sport that has largely kept its top-tier events within familiar borders since 1990, this expansion represents far more than just another stop on the calendar — it’s a bold new frontier that could redefine how professional tennis is governed, funded, and viewed around the world.

A Historic Expansion

Since the creation of the Masters 1000 series 35 years ago, the ATP’s top-level tournaments have been an elite, closed circle of nine. Events in Indian Wells, Miami, Rome, and Paris became cultural staples on the Tour. Now, for the first time in history, the ATP is breaking that mold.

The Saudi Masters 1000 will join the ranks as the tenth event, marking the biggest expansion of the ATP Tour since the category’s inception. ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi described the move as the result of “years of work” and a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s serious commitment to tennis.

But this isn’t just a matter of adding another week of competition. It’s a statement — one that intertwines the future of tennis with one of the world’s most ambitious economic and political transformation projects: Saudi Vision 2030.

The Power Behind the Deal

The driving force behind the new tournament is the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — Saudi Arabia’s powerful sovereign wealth fund, worth over $700 billion. The event will be managed through its dedicated sports arm, SURJ Sports Investment, which has become a key global player across multiple sports in just a few years.

This partnership isn’t a simple hosting arrangement. PIF is taking an equity stake in ATP Media, the Tour’s broadcasting and media distribution company. That means Saudi Arabia isn’t just sponsoring or organizing an event — it’s embedding itself within the commercial and strategic engine of professional tennis.

In practical terms, this gives PIF influence over how the ATP packages and monetizes its global content. It’s a bold, calculated move that cements Saudi Arabia’s role as not just a host nation, but a long-term stakeholder in the sport’s future.

What the Saudi Masters 1000 Will Look Like

The new event is expected to be played in February, likely in Riyadh, on outdoor hard courts. The format will feature a 56-player singles draw over one week — similar to tournaments like Paris and Monte-Carlo.

Crucially, the Saudi Masters 1000 will be non-mandatory for players — one of only two events at this level with that status (the other being Monte-Carlo). This means players won’t face ranking penalties if they skip it, an important compromise in light of growing concerns about the ATP’s already exhausting schedule.

The non-mandatory label is a strategic move from the ATP — a way to add a new big-money event without officially extending the calendar or forcing players into another must-attend commitment.

Still, with 1,000 ranking points and one of the largest prize pools on the Tour, skipping Riyadh will come at a competitive cost. For top players chasing year-end rankings or Nitto ATP Finals qualification, the financial and points incentives will make it almost impossible to pass up.

The Financial Side: Record-Breaking Investment

Though official numbers remain confidential, insiders estimate that PIF’s acquisition of the Masters 1000 sanction could be valued between $400 million and $500 million — potentially double the record prices seen for past tournament sales like Madrid or Cincinnati.

This level of investment instantly elevates the Saudi Masters to a premium status. It also underscores PIF’s broader strategy: using sports as a cornerstone for economic diversification, tourism, and global branding under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s sports ambitions have already reshaped golf (through LIV Golf) and football (via major player signings and club investments). In tennis, however, PIF is choosing collaboration over disruption. By working within the ATP framework, rather than against it, the Kingdom secures long-term influence — and legitimacy — without fracturing the sport.

Vision 2030 and the Sports Revolution

The Masters 1000 project aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the country’s roadmap for reducing its reliance on oil and building a global image as a modern, connected nation. Sports play a central role in that plan.

Since 2021, Saudi Arabia has poured over $6 billion into its sports sector. The domestic market is projected to grow from $7.2 billion in 2023 to $22.4 billion by 2030, with thousands of jobs and tourism opportunities created along the way.

The new Masters event isn’t just about prestige — it’s about economic diversification and soft power. Each major international event strengthens Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, boosts foreign investment, and presents the Kingdom as a dynamic hub for sports and entertainment.

From Next Gen to Masters: A Steady Climb

Saudi Arabia’s relationship with professional tennis didn’t start overnight. It began in 2023, when Jeddah hosted the Next Gen ATP Finals, a key event showcasing emerging stars. That was followed by Riyadh securing the WTA Finals (2024–2026) and hosting high-profile exhibitions like the Six Kings Slam, featuring stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

These moves gradually integrated Saudi Arabia into the tennis ecosystem — both financially and culturally — paving the way for the Masters 1000. It’s a textbook example of PIF’s “long game”: build credibility, attract top players, and normalize Saudi tennis on the global stage before making a major move.

The Player Perspective: Workload, Choice, and Reality

For players, the Saudi Masters 1000 arrives at a complicated moment. The tennis season already runs nearly 11 months a year, leaving barely a month for rest and training. Many players — including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz — have publicly called for a shorter schedule and better protection against burnout.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has acknowledged the issue but insists that expanding premium events is essential for the sport’s financial growth. By making the Saudi Masters non-mandatory, the ATP hopes to sidestep direct backlash while still encouraging participation through massive financial rewards.

Realistically, however, few players will opt out. The 1,000 ranking points on offer, combined with the Tour’s bonus pool system, mean that skipping the event could cost players both money and momentum. In other words, the tournament may be non-mandatory in name — but mandatory in effect.

Infrastructure and Ambition: Building a World-Class Stage

One of the biggest challenges for organizers will be readying a state-of-the-art venue in time for 2028. All signs point to Riyadh as the host city, with potential venues linked to the country’s massive “Giga-Projects,” such as Qiddiya and NEOM.

Qiddiya, in particular, is shaping up to be a sports and entertainment megacity, featuring cutting-edge facilities, including a new multi-purpose stadium and sports park. With its completion timeline aligning closely with the Masters 1000 launch, it’s the frontrunner to host the tournament.

Still, deadlines are tight. Large-scale projects often face delays, and even with PIF’s deep pockets, delivering a world-class complex by 2028 will require intense coordination. If construction lags, the ATP may need to use a temporary venue — not exactly the grand debut Saudi organizers envision.

What It Means for the ATP’s Future

The Saudi Masters 1000 signals more than just an expansion — it’s a shift in the balance of power in global tennis. The ATP’s partnership with PIF represents a pivot toward financial stability and long-term commercial growth, but it also raises tough questions about governance and ethics.

By bringing PIF into the ATP’s inner structure through ATP Media, the Tour has essentially tied part of its future to Saudi capital. That relationship could reshape everything from how tournaments are valued to how broadcast rights are managed.

Meanwhile, traditional Masters 1000 hosts may feel the ripple effects. Competing with Saudi-level investment will likely push existing tournaments to boost prize money, upgrade venues, and enhance fan experiences to keep their elite status.

And looking ahead, it’s not hard to imagine Riyadh evolving the event further — perhaps into a combined ATP and WTA Masters, mirroring the growing trend of joint men’s and women’s events seen elsewhere.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, the addition of the Saudi Masters 1000 encapsulates the modern reality of professional tennis: a global sport navigating the tension between growth and ethics, player welfare and commercial ambition, tradition and transformation.

For the ATP, the move secures a powerful financial ally and a foothold in a fast-growing market. For Saudi Arabia, it’s another step toward reshaping its image through sport. For players and fans, it’s both an opportunity and a challenge — a sign that the game is evolving in ways that extend far beyond the baseline.

As the countdown to 2028 begins, one thing is clear: tennis is entering a new era — one where money, influence, and vision will shape not just where the game is played, but what it stands for.