Saudi Arabia’s tennis ambitions are no longer whispers—they’re roaring. From hosting the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah to securing multi-million-dollar sponsorship deals for ATP and WTA rankings, the desert kingdom is making its mark. Events like Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and the ATP Finals now bear Saudi gold. Riyadh’s three-year WTA Finals coup further cements its growing influence. But the outgoing ATP CEO hinted at more, a seismic shift beyond sponsorship. Is a Masters 1000 on the horizon?
Speaking at the Sport Investment Forum in Riyadh, Massimo Calvelli, the outgoing ATP chief, revealed that talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) that began in 2022 are progressing well, with a possible debut in 2028. He highlighted the sport’s rapid growth in the kingdom, noting that “since the first time that I visited Saudi Arabia, it was, I want to say, two-and-a-half years ago, to today, there are 50,000 kids that are playing tennis in schools,” showing the strong foundation and appetite for tennis there.
The Italian announced, “So we’re very committed to the opportunity, and we think if we’re going to bring a top-tier event, a Masters 1000 event, the outlook is potentially from 2028. By the time we get there, in terms of investments in infrastructure and the demand that we will have created together, working with the different stakeholders here, like PIF or the Saudi Tennis Federation, certainly there is going to be an incredible opportunity.”
Outgoing ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli says negotiations for a Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia from 2028 are going ‘very, very well’:
“We’re very committed to the opportunity, and we think if we’re going to bring a top-tier event, a Masters 1000 event, the outlook… pic.twitter.com/zLikWJiPIV
— Olly Tennis (@Olly_Tennis_) April 15, 2025
The idea of a Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia first surfaced as rumors in late 2023. By early 2025, negotiations between ATP and Saudi officials seemed to solidify plans for this calendar addition. February appears to be the likely slot for the event, right after the Australian Open. However, squeezing it into an already packed schedule remains a challenge for ATP executives.
Last November, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi put a realistic pause on the buzz around a Saudi Masters 1000 event, saying it’s not happening anytime soon. “If it happens, it won’t be before 2028 because there are infrastructure works that need time,” he explained. Gaudenzi also reassured fans that the existing Masters 1000 tournaments are safe, noting they “have had category protection for 30 years.” So while Saudi Arabia’s tennis dreams are big, the logistics and groundwork mean patience is key before the kingdom can host one of tennis’s crown jewels.
Additionally, Calvelli addressed broader issues in tennis—fragmentation between ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slam entities. He highlighted talks about merging ATP and WTA into one unified product. “Integrating both products would maximize the value of rights and put men’s and women’s circuits on equal footing,” he explained. This approach could simplify operations and boost commercial appeal.
Saudi Arabia’s influence in tennis is undeniable. The PIF sponsors major tournaments like Miami and Madrid, while Riyadh hosts high-profile exhibitions like the Six Kings Slam featuring stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. The kingdom’s financial backing ensures prize money and world-class facilities for players.
Not to mention, the Next-Gen ATP Finals, where Joao Fonseca took the crown, in Jeddah further showcase its growing role. So a whole new tournament like a Masters 1000 might just be a game-changer. However, not everyone is thrilled about this shift.
Andy Roddick reacts to the news of ATP plans for another Master 1000s
On a recent episode of ‘Served With Andy Roddick’, tennis insider Jon Wertheim revealed that the ATP and Saudi Arabia are pushing forward with plans to launch a Masters 1000 tournament in the kingdom. The event, backed by Saudi Arabia’s growing investments in tennis, is reportedly set for February—a month already packed with ATP 500 events like Doha and Dubai, along with tournaments across Central and South America. Wertheim shared his concerns about the crowded calendar, prompting host and American ex pro Andy Roddick to question whether the ATP might cut back on late-season tournaments to ease player schedules.
Roddick didn’t hold back, expressing frustration over the ATP’s approach. “I’m sure, I’m positive, I can only be positive that if they’re adding another whole swing and another whole Masters 1000, they’re obviously taking something away from the back-end of the schedule, right?” he asked. When Wertheim couldn’t confirm this, Roddick slammed the ATP’s handling of scheduling issues. “There are four days between sanctioned events this year and frankly, it’s just b******* and I don’t believe anything they say as far as wanting to fix the schedule,” he said.
The scheduling debate adds to growing concerns from players like Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, who have criticized the toll of an overloaded calendar. While Saudi Arabia’s plans for a Masters 1000 tournament signal its increasing influence in tennis, it remains unclear how this addition will impact the sport’s already hectic schedule. What’s your take on this? Share them in the comments below!
The post 2028 Might Unlock New Masters 1000 Event in Saudi Arabia as ATP CEO Milks “Incredible Opportunity” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
