Saudi Arabia is set to host a new ATP Masters tournament — the first addition to the men’s tennis tour’s elite series in 35 years — with an expected launch in 2028, the ATP announced Thursday.
The event will become the 10th Masters 1000 tournament on the ATP calendar, joining the likes of Indian Wells, Miami, and Rome. While the exact debut year and calendar placement have yet to be finalized, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said the tournament would be held in the early part of the season, ideally in February, following the Australian Open.
“All we can say at this stage is that it’s going to be at the beginning of the season … the first part of the season,” Gaudenzi told reporters. He added that organizers hope to establish a Middle East and South American swing during that period.
The move marks the latest step in Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in world tennis. The kingdom currently hosts the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah and will stage the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also sponsors both the men’s and women’s rankings.
However, the expansion has drawn criticism from some in the sport, including Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who have voiced concerns about human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.
Gaudenzi confirmed that further details, including official dates, will be announced in 2026 or 2027.
Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF subsidiary, said the tournament could one day become a joint ATP-WTA event, similar to Indian Wells or Miami.
“There are benefits to having men and women compete at the same time — higher ticket sales and greater commercial value,” Townsend said. “We’d certainly never rule it out if the opportunity arose.”
