Saudi Arabia is preparing to make history in the world of tennis as it secures its place among the most prestigious global destinations for the sport. Beginning in 2028, the Kingdom will host its own ATP Masters 1000 tournament — an addition that marks the first expansion of this elite series since it was established decades ago. The move is part of a far-reaching partnership between SURJ Sports Investment, a company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). With this announcement, Saudi Arabia joins the ranks of major tennis hubs such as Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Toronto/Montreal, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris, becoming the tenth city in the world to host a Masters 1000 event.
This decision aligns with the broader vision of Saudi Arabia’s leadership to transform the Kingdom into a global sporting hub. The Public Investment Fund has been instrumental in reshaping the nation’s sports landscape through strategic investments, sponsorships, and partnerships across multiple disciplines. Tennis, once a niche sport in the country, is now being elevated to new heights through collaboration with the ATP and global tennis authorities. The forthcoming tournament is expected to attract top-ranked players, global media attention, and thousands of spectators, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a center for world-class sporting events.
As part of the comprehensive agreement, the new Masters 1000 event will take on a unique character — one that blends elite athletic competition with cultural inclusivity and fan-focused experiences. SURJ Sports Investment has emphasized that this tournament will prioritize both player satisfaction and spectator engagement, aiming to set a new benchmark for tennis hospitality and entertainment. The event will also hold a shareholder position within ATP Media, the broadcasting and media arm of the ATP Tour, allowing Saudi Arabia to play an influential role in shaping the global coverage of professional tennis.
In recent years, the Public Investment Fund has emerged as a dominant force in the sports sector, becoming the official naming partner of the PIF ATP Rankings and the WTA Rankings. This partnership extends beyond naming rights; it includes initiatives like “ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF,” a state-of-the-art data and analytics platform designed to revolutionize performance analysis and fan insights across the tour. The integration of data technology, combined with the growing infrastructure for tennis in Saudi Arabia, is expected to accelerate the sport’s development not only regionally but also globally.
The upcoming Saudi Masters 1000 tournament is not just about competition at the highest level; it represents a long-term investment in the sport’s foundation. A nationwide grassroots program is being developed in collaboration with the Saudi Tennis Federation to promote participation across all age groups and genders. This initiative will focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and talent identification, nurturing the next generation of Saudi tennis players who may one day compete on the international stage. It reflects PIF’s wider ambition to enhance community engagement, health, and youth development through sports.
Officials involved in the project have expressed optimism and pride in what this milestone means for both Saudi Arabia and international tennis. Bander Bin Mogren, Chairman of SURJ Sports Investment, remarked that bringing an ATP Masters 1000 event to Saudi Arabia symbolizes the country’s evolution into a global hub for elite sport. He noted that this achievement highlights the shared vision between SURJ and ATP to expand tennis to new markets and inspire a broader audience. He added that the tournament will not only attract top talent but also encourage domestic enthusiasm and long-term investment in sports infrastructure.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi echoed similar sentiments, describing the inclusion of Saudi Arabia as a landmark development in the sport’s global expansion. He emphasized that the Kingdom’s growing commitment to tennis — both at the grassroots and professional levels — demonstrates genuine intent to nurture the game in all dimensions. According to him, the strengthening of high-profile tournaments like this has already been driving record growth and modernization across the ATP Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s entry further reinforces that momentum.
Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, called the launch “a defining moment” for Saudi Arabia’s sports transformation. He highlighted that this event goes beyond being just another competition; it serves as a statement of purpose, representing the nation’s vision to lead in global sports innovation and hospitality. He noted that tennis fans from around the world will witness a new chapter in the sport’s evolution when the Saudi Masters 1000 event debuts in 2028.
Saudi Arabia’s growing footprint in international tennis is already evident. Jeddah has been hosting the Next Gen ATP Finals since 2023, a platform for the rising stars of the sport, while Riyadh took over hosting duties for the WTA Finals in 2024, bringing the top female players to the Kingdom. With these milestones, and the upcoming Masters 1000 addition, the country is becoming an essential destination on the global tennis calendar.
The broader significance of this initiative lies in how it ties into Vision 2030 — Saudi Arabia’s roadmap for economic diversification and global engagement. Sports have been identified as a key strategic pillar under the Vision, promoting international partnerships, tourism, and youth empowerment. Alongside football, golf, motorsports, esports, and combat sports, tennis now stands as one of the crown jewels in the Kingdom’s sporting renaissance.
By 2028, when the first serve is struck in Saudi Arabia’s ATP Masters 1000 tournament, it will represent more than just the start of another competition. It will mark the arrival of a new era for tennis in the Middle East — one defined by ambition, innovation, and inclusivity. The Kingdom’s steady and strategic ascent in global sports continues to demonstrate how vision, investment, and partnership can together reshape the world’s athletic landscape for generations to come.