Saudi Arabia is reshaping the landscape of tennis with significant investments aimed at hosting major tournaments. The nation plans to invest $1 billion, primarily targeted at establishing a combined men’s and women’s 1,000-level tennis tournament. This tournament is scheduled for January, just before the Australian Open, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s calendar.
Rise of Saudi Arabia in Tennis
In an announcement from SURJ, the Saudi sports investment unit, a 56-player men’s 1,000-level tournament was confirmed. However, finding a space in the already congested tennis calendar has proven challenging. Existing tournaments in Doha and Dubai are reluctant to cede their licenses, leading to negotiations reminiscent of a game of “tournament Tetris.”
A Complicated Landscape
- Saudi Arabia’s investment reflects an evolving relationship with tennis.
- The kingdom has faced criticism over its human rights record, scoring 9 out of 100 in the Freedom of the World report.
- Saudi Arabia ranked 132nd out of 148 countries on the 2025 Global Gender Gap index.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding the country’s treatment of dissent, expressing apprehension about Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international sports. High-profile events like the WTA Tour Finals and the Next Gen ATP Finals have already taken place in Saudi Arabia, showcasing the nation’s ambition to elevate its status in the tennis community.
Investment and Strategic Partnerships
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has formed strategic partnerships with both the ATP and WTA Tours. These collaborations include funding initiatives like a maternity program for WTA participants. The newly announced ATP tournament highlights the kingdom’s intent to secure a significant role in the global tennis landscape.
Future Implications
The ATP Tour chairman, Andrea Gaudenzi, suggested possible tournament scheduling adjustments in February to accommodate the new event. This could impact existing ATP events in South America, raising questions about the future of those tournaments.
- Saudi Arabia is determined to establish itself within the tennis calendar, aiming for a meaningful presence.
- Players participating in the new tournament will have to navigate questions regarding human rights and the event’s location.
As Saudi Arabia enhances its investment in tennis, it is also tasked with cultivating the sport domestically. Recently, Saudi officials mentioned over 14,000 female tennis players in the kingdom, marking a significant increase in participation among women. Moving forward, the kingdom’s ambitions in the sport will likely continue to intersect with its complex social and political landscape.
Whether the new ATP Masters 1000 tournament will uphold the values of inclusivity and fairness in sports remains to be seen. With the kingdom’s history of human rights violations, the global tennis community is watching closely how this investment impacts the sport and its players.
