ATP Tour Makes 'First-Ever' Expansion Announcement

ATP and SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF company, have announced that Saudi Arabia will be hosting an all-new Masters 1000 tournament in the future. The Masters 1000 tournaments are an important part of the tennis calendar, given their significance in terms of points, prize money, and prestige attached to them.

The sport currently hosts nine ATP 1000 Masters across the world, with the ATP Shanghai Masters being the most recent addition to the series in 2009.

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The sport has announced its "first-ever" expansion of the series, with Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament as early as 2028 and joining the likes of Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Toronto/Montreal, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Bercy in the future.

The announcement also showcases the growing partnership between PIF and ATP over the recent years, and also allows the former to get the title rights for the ATP Rankings, replacing Pepperstone.

Speaking to the media after the historic announcement, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi reflected on the significance of the deal and said:

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"This is a proud moment for us and the result of a journey that’s been years in the making. 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. "

SURJ Sports Investment Chairman Bander Bin Mogren reiterated Gaudenzi's comments and added that the announcement was a big boost for tennis's growth in Saudi Arabia, claiming:

“Bringing an ATP Masters 1000 event to Saudi Arabia is a major step forward for tennis in the region and a reflection of our shared commitment with ATP to the growth of the game around the world. This announcement underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a major destination for world-class sport and strengthens our ambition to support athletes, fans, and the wider tennis community for years to come."

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Saudi Arabia has been actively becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for athletes from different sports owing to their world-class facilities and lucrative deals.

How Has Saudi Arabia Grown in the Tennis World?

Saudi Arabia and the PIF have been aggressively focused on bringing major tennis events to the country for the last couple of years. After initially making inroads by hosting the ATP NetGen Finals in Jeddah since 2023, they secured the coveted WTA Finals in 2024 and hosted the prestigious event in Riyadh last year.

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Since 2024, the country has also been hosting the Six Kings Slam, which hosts the six best players in the world to play in an exhibition event, with the matches being streamed live on Netflix. The event gives out $6 million to the victor, with players getting $1.5 million for their appearance.

With the Masters 1000 tournament coming to the shores, the sport is expected to grow even further in the country. However, ATP has not yet announced the official dates for the tournament.

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