Saudi Arabia Secures ATP Masters 1000 License

SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of‌ Saudi Arabia’s state-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been awarded the rights to host a new masters 1000 tournament on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour. This makes Saudi Arabia the tenth host nation for an ATP Masters 1000 event and the first from the middle East. SportsPro first reported the news.

The tournament is slated to begin as​ early as 2028,⁤ representing the first expansion of the Masters 1000 category in the tour’s 35-year history. The addition signals a meaningful shift in the ATP’s global strategy and a growing investment in tennis within the⁣ Middle ‍East.

ATP Board Approves Expansion

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi expressed optimism about the tournament’s scheduling, hoping it could be positioned at the beginning of the tennis season. He ⁤stated the decision was the result of a “very democratic process” with “unanimous ‌approval” from the ATP board. ‍The board ⁢comprises four player representatives and four tournament representatives, indicating broad support ‌for the initiative. SportsPro reported on Gaudenzi’s comments at a media roundtable.

As the event’s license holder, SURJ Sports Investment will⁣ have control over sponsorship opportunities and other⁣ event-related‌ details. ​ The financial implications of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.

Investment in the​ ATP Tour Itself Remains Unlikely

Despite the significant investment in a new tournament, Gaudenzi indicated that direct investment *into* the ATP tour itself is “not on the cards” at this time.This suggests the PIF’s​ focus is on event ownership and advancement rather than a broader stake in the tour’s governance or financial structure.

Masters 1000 Tournaments – Current Hosts (as of October 25, 2025)

The following tournaments currently ​hold Masters 1000 status on the ATP Tour: