Significant Changes Coming to Men’s Tennis Schedule

The ATP Tour is undergoing a substantial reshaping of its calendar, fueled by financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), through its sports investment arm, SURJ. The changes aim to streamline the schedule and elevate the prominence of a new Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, slated to begin in 2028.

Tournament Acquisitions and Reacquisitions

The ATP has been actively acquiring and reacquiring licenses for several tournaments, particularly ATP 250 events. Last year, the tour reacquired the licenses for the Chengdu Open and Hong Kong Open, both held in China. Licenses for the Moselle Open in Metz, France, and the Kremlin Cup in Moscow were also brought back under ATP control. These acquisitions were funded by the ATP itself.

Further deals are in progress, with potential reacquisitions of the Argentina Open and the Mexican Open, both currently funded by SURJ.

New Masters 1000 Event in Saudi Arabia

A new ATP Masters 1000 tournament will be hosted in Saudi Arabia as early as 2028. This marks the first expansion of the Masters 1000 category in the ATP Tour’s 35-year history. The tournament will feature a 56-player singles main draw and be played over a single week.

The ATP envisions a tiered structure with the four Grand Slams at the top, followed by 10 Masters 1000 events. Seven of these Masters 1000 events will be mandatory and span two weeks, while one will be mandatory for one week. The remaining two will be non-mandatory, each lasting one week.

Calendar Optimization and Player Welfare

The overarching goal is to create a more balanced and streamlined calendar, shortening the season and expanding the off-season for players. This effort acknowledges that the current 11-month schedule is too unwieldy—an 11-month globe-trotting slog that is confusing, bad for business, and excessively taxing on the players that define the sport.

The ATP’s approach is consistent with the principles of OneVision, including strengthening the premium product of the Tour. We believe a strong product starts with the best players competing at the best events, and the continued development of the Masters 1000 category is part of that strategy, alongside efforts to expand our reach and improve player compensation through enhanced bonus pools and tournament profit-sharing.

Financial Investment and Strategic Partnerships

Saudi Arabia’s investment in tennis began to intensify in 2024, with a proposed investment of over $1 billion in professional tennis. This has materialized through sponsorships of the PIF ATP Rankings and the WTA rankings, as well as the upcoming women’s season-ending Tour Finals in Riyadh.

FAQ

When will the new Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia begin?

The tournament is scheduled to begin as early as 2028.

What is SURJ Sports Investment?

SURJ Sports Investment is the sports investment division of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

How many Masters 1000 events will there be?

There will be 10 Masters 1000 events, an expansion from the previous nine.