Isner on the Saudi Masters 1000: "Sinner and Alcaraz are going to receive financial compensation!"
John Isner did not mince his words regarding the announcement of a new Masters 1000 in Saudi Arabia.
The deal is done: the ATP and Surj Sports Investment have officially announced the creation of a tenth Masters 1000, to be held in Saudi Arabia starting in 2028. A new step in the Saudi expansion plan, already well underway after the WTA Finals in Riyadh and the Six Kings Slam.
But, for many observers, the creation of a new tournament of this kind sounds like an aberration. Indeed, on the Nothing Major podcast, John Isner was very critical of this news and did not hesitate to name Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two young icons of the tour:
"Why would Jannik and Carlos play a non-mandatory Masters 1000 right after the Australian Open? Why would they do that? Unless they have a magic wand? I think there will be financial compensation for them to come. So it's completely ridiculous."
If Isner went strong, he is not the only American to find this incomprehensible, as evidenced by this statement from former world number one Andy Roddick:
"The players say they are mentally and physically exhausted... And the solution is to add an extra week? Brilliant!"
