Saudi Arabia to host new ATP Masters 1000 tournament from 2028

It is more than eighteen months since bidding invitations were issued to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Australia, with the decision to choose Saudi one of the worst kept secrets in the sport.

A 10th Masters event was always envisaged but – until the rules were changed in a vote earlier this year – would have had to be staged in either the first week of the year or on grass before Wimbledon.

Now, though, it could take place any time, and is expected to be staged in February, when the ATP already visits the Gulf region for events in Doha and Dubai.

But the ATP is not confirming that publicly because the date is guaranteed to upset someone.

Staging the tournament in Saudi Arabia in the first week of the year would be considered a hostile gesture by Tennis Australia, as most of its leading men would no longer play in the country in the lead up to the Australian Open.

Scheduling it in February could divert players away from traditional clay court events in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, and European indoor tournaments like the one in Rotterdam.

One favoured solution is to create two streams of February tournaments – one in the Middle East and the other in South America – with the European events moving to later in the year.

It is not yet known how much prize money the Saudi tournament will offer, but the ATP sets a minimum prize money for all Masters 1000 events.

Next week’s Paris Masters, which also has a 56-man field, is offering the minimum of 6,128,940 euros (£5,328,338).

Tournaments are allowed to pay more in prize money – as long as the increase is distributed evenly throughout the draw.

The Indian Wells Masters this year offered an extra $500,000 (£374,650), but it is rare for Masters 1000 events to offer more than the minimum required.