The tennis world has been buzzing with speculation about Saudi Arabia's planned Masters 1000 event, set to debut in 2028. While the tournament was officially confirmed last year, recent reports of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) reducing investments in other sports—including golf and LIV Golf—had fans questioning its future. Now, the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, the PIF-backed entity behind the event, has stepped forward to set the record straight.
"SURJ Sports Investment remains fully committed to the long-term development of premium tennis in Saudi Arabia and to the future ATP Masters 1000 tournament that is scheduled to join the calendar in 2028," he stated. "Our strategy has always been anchored in building sustainable, world-class sports platforms over the long term. As with all of our investments, we continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the right conditions are in place for success, and we remain confident in the role this event will play within the Kingdom's broader sporting ecosystem."
But history suggests caution. Saudi Arabia's foray into tennis has been a mixed bag so far. The WTA Finals, hosted in the kingdom from 2024 to 2026, saw dismal attendance in its first year. While there was a slight uptick by 2025, it wasn't enough to silence critics. Meanwhile, the Next Gen ATP Finals packed up after a brief three-year run in Jeddah, leaving the city without a marquee event.
Given these challenges, it's no surprise that skepticism lingers about whether a tenth Masters 1000 will ever materialize as planned. For now, the clock is ticking, and only time will tell if this ambitious project will serve an ace or fall short.
Should the Saudi Arabian Masters 1000 fail to launch, alternative hosts are already being discussed. South America stands out as a top contender—a region with a rich tennis heritage and passionate fans who have long felt deserving of a premier event beyond the ATP 500 level. The existing "golden swing" tournaments in South America have already sparked conversations about elevating the region's status on the global tennis calendar.