Saudi Arabia Plans ATP Masters 1000 Tournament Debut in 2028

Saudi Arabia will become the host of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2028, marking the first expansion of this elite men's tennis series in over 35 years. The event, featuring a 56-player field competing on outdoor hard courts over one week, is set to be held early in the tennis calendar, likely alongside existing February tournaments, though the exact location and date remain undecided. This move is part of the kingdom's broader strategy to grow its global tennis presence, supported by its Public Investment Fund through SURJ Sports Investments, which has also been involved in sponsoring the ATP and WTA tours. Saudi Arabia already hosts notable tennis events such as the WTA Finals in Riyadh and the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, alongside other sports investments aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. The addition of this tournament was unanimously approved by the ATP board, with SURJ becoming a shareholder in ATP Media, reflecting the kingdom's long-term commitment to securing a prominent role in international sports. Despite some player concerns about the demanding tennis calendar and debates over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, the ATP chairman emphasized the tournament's non-mandatory player participation as part of the tour's flexible schedule.