Saudi Arabia to Host 10th Masters 1000 from 2028

The ATP announced Saudi Arabia will host a Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2028, expanding the Masters series to 10 events — the first addition since 1990. The one‑week, hard‑court event is expected early in the season (likely February), will feature a 56‑player draw, will not be mandatory, and the host city is yet to be confirmed. The deal is with SURJ/PIF and has been reported as a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar partnership that builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing tennis footprint, including the WTA Finals, the Next Gen ATP Finals and high‑paying exhibitions; the PIF also sponsors the ATP and WTA rankings. Negotiations over the new slot were complex, with Doha and Dubai reportedly reluctant to give up licenses and the ATP describing the calendar as a “puzzle,” while players have voiced concerns about an increasingly crowded schedule and physical demands. Human‑rights organizations and critics warned the investment risks being seen as “sportswashing,” raising ethical scrutiny even as the addition cements the kingdom’s expanding role in global tennis.