The ATP have partnered up with PIF’s Surj Sports Investment partners to create a tenth ATP Masters 1000 event which will take place in Saudi Arabia from 2028 onwards.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in tennis has ranged from a Six Kings Slam exhibition to hosting the next gen finals as well as hosting the WTA Finals.
Furthermore the Public Investment Fund has sponsored the official ATP rankings for the last couple of years.
However, things have reached new heights with this latest announcement as Saudi Arabia will now have it’s own Masters 1000 event from 2028.
It’s the first ever expansion from the nine event Masters 1000 event series in which the ATP has claimed will ‘also focus on accelerating the growth of the game at all levels. A nationwide grassroots programme, developed in partnership with the Saudi Tennis Federation, will promote inclusivity, accessibility, and talent development, inspiring the next generation of Saudi athletes and champions and creating robust pathways for participation. This supports part of PIF’s broader ambition to grow sport at all levels, and to help drive the development of tennis across both the men’s and women’s game.’
Speaking on the announcement ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said it was a ‘proud’ moment for the ATP, “This is a proud moment for us and the result of a journey that’s been years in the making,” Gaudenzi told the ATP website.
“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. PIF’s ambition for the sport is clear, and we believe fans and players alike will be amazed by what’s coming.
“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.”
Meanwhile the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, Danny Townsend, has hailed the move as a ‘defining moment,’ “The launch of an ATP Masters 1000 in Saudi Arabia is a defining moment in our journey to enhance the sports landscape,” Townsend explained to the ATP website.
“This tournament is more than an event; it is a statement of ambition, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s role as a global sports hub. 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.”
It’s not known yet where the event will take place in the calendar although the strong belief is that it will happen before or after the Australian Open.
