The ATP announced the formation of a new Masters 1000 tournament that would take place in Saudi Arabia. This comes despite the complaints of numerous players about the scheduling and rules regarding participation put in place.
ATP Announces Inception of Additional Masters 1000 Event in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has steadily increased its involvement in professional tennis over recent years. Several high-profile tournaments have been established there, notably the WTA Finals. Their involvement in the sport also includes engaging tennis ambassadors such as Rafael Nadal, appointed in January 2024 by the Saudi Tennis Federation, and Paula Badosa, who became an ambassador for the Public Investment Fund in October 2025.
The latest development came in October 2025 when SURJ Sports Investments, a company operating under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, announced in partnership with the ATP the launch of a new Masters 1000 tournament set to debut in 2028.
Details on the tournament reveal a 56-player draw, operating over one week early in the calendar year, with February being a potential month for the event. Unlike most Masters 1000 events, this tournament will be non-mandatory for players, similar to Monte-Carlo.
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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia have agreed to host a 10th Masters 1000, starting in 2028!
🗣️ https://t.co/ZhzUNOwdrb pic.twitter.com/1sPMc4ZEZ1
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) October 23, 2025
The new Saudi Masters 1000 will join the established lineup of nine existing events, including those in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Paris, and will hold shareholder status within ATP Media, the tour’s broadcasting arm. ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi described this move as a culmination of years of development and noted Saudi Arabia’s broad commitment to both professional tennis.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts . The Public Investment Fund, a key financial backer for tennis development in the region, sponsors the ATP rankings and supports technological initiatives within the sport.
MORE: ‘Painful Moments and Courage in the Face of Doubt’ – Paula Badosa’s Message as She Ends 2025 Season
How Have Fans Reacted to This Development
Many have been critical of the ATP adding another Masters 1000 tournament, with one fan saying:
“So the response to players calling out the current insanely gruelling schedule and how it’s affecting their health is to…announce another tournament?? What a joke of an establishment lmfao.”
So the response to players calling out the current insanely gruelling schedule and how it’s affecting their health is to…announce another tournament?? What a joke of an establishment lmfao https://t.co/TcMVMF9mMe
— Nicole ❯❯❯❯ ໑̣ (@happilyomar) October 23, 2025
Another fan joked about the fact that with the addition of the new Masters 1000 tournament, Novak Djokovic shall not have won all events in the category.
“Djokovic has not won all the Masters in Tennis,” the fan said.
Djokovic has not won all the Masters in Tennis 😂😂 https://t.co/VyJtRJPFz9
— Fednanen (@fednanen) October 23, 2025
Another fan expressed their disappointment on the addition of another Masters 1000 competition to the present schedule, stating:
“So the solution to players complaining about an already over packed schedule is to add another Masters 1000.”
So the solution to players complaining about an already over packed schedule is to add another Masters 1000🤔
— Kayla Bashu (@BashuKayla) October 23, 2025
One fan said:
“So… we keep hearing constant complaints that the calendar is too long, that top players are always injured and exhausted by the end of the season and yet we’re adding another mandatory Masters 1000 event?”
So… we keep hearing constant complaints that the calendar is too long, that top players are always injured and exhausted by the end of the season and yet we’re adding another mandatory Masters 1000 event? https://t.co/6EtxWIn5P3 pic.twitter.com/tdJMEKSegx
— Weronika 🪩🇵🇸 (@ajela55) October 23, 2025
Another fan stated:
“Our sport is ruined.”
Our sport is ruined. https://t.co/b3itPWAdhR
— TvRF (@TvRFTennis) October 23, 2025
“Adding another masters when players are suffering from potentially career-altering injuries and calling for a less demanding schedule is actually sickening,” Remarked another fan about the new Masters 1000 event.
adding another masters when players are suffering from potentially career-altering injuries and calling for a less demanding schedule is actually sickening https://t.co/N6A5NnKkAi
— ًً (@bhsdtl) October 23, 2025
Over the past few months, there have been numerous instances of playing talking about the schedule, most notably Fritz, who spoke out following Holger Rune’s Achilles injury, as did Jack Draper. Earlier during the month, Alcaraz also complained about it.
