The ATP are set to take a 1000 event to Saudi Arabia in a milestone move by the organisation.
It’s anticipated that the tournament will take place in Saudi Arabia as early as 2028, further congesting the ATP schedule.
Recently, the Six Kings Slam took place in Saudi Arabia, and although the finances are lucrative at that event, it’s nothing more than an exhibition for the world’s best players.
Jannik Sinner was praised by Carlos Alcaraz for winning that event, and now there is some exciting news regarding a new tournament set to be announced as part of the tour.
New ATP 1000 tournament set to take place in Saudi Arabia
According to the New York Times, this event will feature 56 of the world’s best players, and it won’t be considered a mandatory event.
That could lead to some players declining to play at the tournament, with the prize money set to be in line with the other ATP Masters 1000 events.
Right now, it’s not clear where it will slot into the calendar, although February looks likely with smaller ATP events taking place in the same month.
The chairman of the ATP Tour, Andrea Gaudenzi, said: “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 will be amazed by what’s coming.”
Player unlikely to be impressed with ATP decision to take 1000 event to Saudi Arabia
The terrible injury sustained by Holger Rune recently provided tennis with a huge problem in that it merely highlights the rigorous demands for the players.
Quite simply, it’s brilliant that tennis is consumable all of the time, but for the elite players, there is a limit when their bodies can’t be pushed anymore.
| Current Masters 1000 events on the ATP Tour |
| Indian Wells |
| Miami Open |
| Monte-Carlo Masters |
| Madrid Open |
| Italian Open |
| Canadian Open |
| Cincinnati Open |
| Shanghai Masters |
| Paris Masters |
Had this event popped onto the calendar at the expense of another 1000 event, then it would have been easier to grasp, but adding another tournament to the tour, which is already jam-packed, is unlikely to be popular.
Furthermore, this will likely dilute the quality of some of the 500 and 250 events, with players likely to chase more points and money at a 1000 rather than turn their hand to the smaller ones.
With football, golf and boxing taking a large slice of the Saudi finances, it is great to see tennis finally get its share in a competitive sense.
However, it does feel like there will be some fallout to come from this announcement from the ATP.
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