The tennis world has been abuzz ever since the ATP announced its groundbreaking move—the introduction of a new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia starting in 2028. As debates intensify about the sport’s growing ties with the nation from the Middle East and also the ATP ignoring the schedule criticism, the German star, Alexander Zverev, has stepped forward, addressing the criticism with a calm yet pointed remark that perfectly encapsulates his stance.

As per reports, this tenth Masters 1000 event will feature a 56-player draw, operating over one week early in the calendar year, with February being a potential month for the event. But unlike most Masters 1000 events, this tournament will be non-mandatory for players, similar to Monte-Carlo. According to the ATP Chairman, Andrea Gaudenzi, this move is a culmination of years of development and notes Saudi Arabia’s broad commitment to professional tennis. The Chairman of SURJ Sports Investment (a PIF Company), Bander Bin Mogren, said, “Bringing an ATP Masters 1000 event to Saudi Arabia is a major step forward for tennis in the region and a reflection of our shared commitment with ATP to the growth of the game around the world.”

But in the past, we have seen complaints about countries like Saudi Arabia, a country with a controversial human rights record, “sportswashing” things with these moves. Several tennis legends, like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and a few others, were never big supporters of tennis moving to Saudi Arabia. And on top of that, players like Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and others complaining about ATP’s hectic calendar have sparked a new debate about where this tournament should fit in, as there are already ten tournaments scheduled for February every year. Is this a good move or a blunder from ATP? Well, according to Alexander Zverev, “If they promise us that with the money from the tenth Masters they will buy back tournaments/weeks and thus shorten the season, it would be great for us, the players.”

He further added, “If the season is shortened by 3 or 4 weeks and we don't have to play until the end of November or early December, but ‘only’ until mid-November, it would be a great idea. If they don't do anything with that money and just add a tournament, it would be a nice story, but it wouldn't make much sense for the Top 10/Top 20. I hope we are on the right track.” For Alexander Zverev, the conversation during this post-match press conference after securing his spot in the SF of the Vienna Open wasn’t about geopolitics, but about opportunity.

At the 2025 Six Kings Slam, Zverev made his debut this year. But he lost his opening match to Taylor Fritz in less than an hour. However, despite the loss, the German managed to take home a mouthwatering $1.5 million for participating in this tournament. Coming to his experience in Saudi Arabia, Zverev said he enjoyed his time in the Kingdom. He believes Saudi Arabia is a country that is doing a lot in sports, and he also wants ATP to take the next steps. Perhaps it may be buying back some of the year-end 250 tournaments or reorganizing them.

Coming to the political aspect surrounding ATP’s Saudi Arabia Masters move, Alexander Zverev clearly stated, “On political matters, the context is not always the best, but they are trying to change. Three years ago, I wasn't there, but this year it felt like a new country to me. I'm not a politician. If there is a Masters 1000 there, I play it. They have been played in Dubai or Doha for 30 years, and I don't think there have been any problems. I can speak for what I know, which is tennis. The ATP should start using that money to give something back to the players.”

This move from ATP is surely a groundbreaking one, and guess what? This is going to be the first-ever expansion of the top-tier category of men’s tennis since its creation in 1990. What do others in the tennis world have to say about this initiative?

Jannik Sinner and Andy Roddick have also joined Alexander Zverev to share their thoughts on the same

Alexander Zverev’s words carried the same calm defiance that often defines his on-court demeanor. Just as he’s learned to handle the pressure of high-stakes matches, Zverev seemed unfazed by the criticism swirling around the Saudi move. In a sport increasingly influenced by global economics, his pragmatic approach reflected a wider truth—players can’t control where tournaments are held; they can only show up and play their best.

Agreeing with Zverev’s statements, the American legend shared his thoughts during a recent episode of ‘Quick Served.’ He questioned, “How much of this revenue and how much of this deal is going to buybacks? That is one of the only ways that you are going to get a shorter schedule eventually.” 

Having said that, Roddick also added, “We’re adding another week. Fine. Whenever there’s a week added, you have to demand an offset. And if there was ever a need for representation for the player side, a non-mandatory event seems like a good leverage point. Participation in the Saudi event in 2028 seems like you have your piece of leverage.”

As the tennis calendar continues to expand, Alexander Zverev and Andy Roddick’s words underline the evolving dynamics of the modern game. And according to the world number 2, Jannik Sinner, “I think it's the first time a Masters event has been added. From my experience of that country, the population is very young, and the market can become very large: I see it as a positive thing.”

Since we’ve already seen the reactions of three superstars in men’s tennis to this Saudi move, let us know if you agree with them or if you have a different take on this.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta