Overview
- The ATP confirmed a 10th Masters 1000 in Saudi Arabia beginning as early as 2028, the first expansion of the category since 1990 and agreed with SURJ Sports Investment, linked to the Public Investment Fund.
- The event will be a one-week tournament with a 56-player singles draw and non-mandatory status, joining Monte Carlo as the only Masters not requiring player participation.
- The calendar slot and host city remain unannounced, with reporting indicating February as the likeliest window and an early-January placement before the Australian Open still under discussion.
- Andy Roddick said the non-mandatory status opens the door to “massive” appearance fees and relayed an agent’s view that it will be “open season,” predicting a “Wild West” for payments.
- Jannik Sinner welcomed the move as a growth opportunity given Saudi Arabia’s young market, while analysis warns the added Masters could pressure the schedule and drive a Saudi-funded buyback that trims smaller events.