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Saudi Arabia Pushes to Establish Its Own ATP Tennis Tour

Byoutsidesport

Saudi Arabia is continuing its aggressive expansion into global sports, with plans to establish its own dedicated tennis “tour” within the ATP Tour.

The country, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its sports arm Surj Sports Investment, is already set to host a new Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2028. However, reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is now negotiating with the ATP to go further by adding both an ATP 500 and an ATP 250 event in the same period.

If successful, this would allow the nation to create a full tennis “swing” or mini-tour, similar to established regional stretches in the ATP calendar.

How a Saudi “Tour” Would Fit Into the ATP Calendar

The ATP calendar is traditionally divided into regional and surface-based “tours”:

  • Hard court swings in North America
  • Clay court season in Europe
  • Grass court season leading up to Wimbledon
  • Asian and indoor European hard court swings

Saudi Arabia’s plan is to carve out its own regional swing in February, anchored by a Masters 1000 event, followed by an ATP 500 and an ATP 250.

This would mirror existing high-profile swings like the Indian Wells–Miami “Sunshine Double” or the European clay season that culminates in French Open.

Potential Tournament Changes

To make room for these new events, existing tournaments may need to be removed from the calendar.

Reports suggest that discussions are ongoing regarding the possible acquisition of licenses from:

  • The ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires
  • The ATP 500 event in Acapulco

These events currently take place during February, which aligns with Saudi Arabia’s proposed new swing.

Impact on Global Tennis

If approved, Saudi Arabia’s expansion could significantly reshape the ATP landscape:

  • Top players may prioritize the Saudi swing over traditional South American clay events
  • The competitive calendar could become more centralized around major, high-prize tournaments
  • Smaller tournaments may face increased pressure for survival

The move also reflects broader concerns within tennis, where players have increasingly complained about an overcrowded calendar.

Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Tennis

Saudi Arabia has rapidly increased its presence in tennis in recent years:

  • It became a sponsor of the ATP rankings in 2024
  • It supports multiple Masters 1000 events as a commercial partner
  • It hosts the WTA Finals in Riyadh, one of the most lucrative tournaments on the women’s tour

There has also been interest in a potential ATP–WTA merger, backed by significant financial proposals—though no agreement has been reached.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a full ATP swing highlights its long-term strategy to become a global hub for elite sports.

If the plan materializes, it could reshape the structure of men’s professional tennis—creating a powerful new center of gravity in the sport while challenging traditional tournaments in South America and beyond.