Towards a Masters 1000 in Saudi Arabia? The ATP responds!

It's no longer a secret. Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop through sport, and its action in the world of tennis is a perfect illustration of this.

While their place on the calendar remains limited for the time being, their aim is obviously to organize increasingly important tournaments on their soil, and in particular a Masters 1000. Indeed, rumours of a tournament of this magnitude being staged in Saudi Arabia are growing all the time.

So much so, in fact, that ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi was asked about it from Turin, where the ATP Finals are being held. He explained: "If it happens, it won't be before 2028, because there are infrastructure works that need time. The other Masters 1000 tournaments are not threatened, as they have enjoyed categorical protection for 30 years.

The approach with the Saudis has been open, listening to their aspirations, because they want to invest in tennis and help us. We want to build bridges, not barriers.

When I first played in Dubai and Doha in the 90s, things were different, but significant progress has been made. Saudi Arabia has this willingness to change."