'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former American pro John Isner voiced strong speculation about the recently announced Saudi Arabia Masters 1000, questioning its timing and why top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would choose to play it. The event is reportedly set to debut in February 2028.
The ATP, along with SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF company, announced the establishment of a Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia. It will be the 10th Masters 1000 event on the ATP calendar and the first extension of the nine events in over three decades.
More recently, former American pros hosting the Nothing Major Podcast discussed the latest announcement. Sam Querrey noted the growing debate around the packed tennis schedule and the addition of a 10th Masters event in 2028. He acknowledged the controversy over tournaments moving to Saudi Arabia.
Trending
Still, he suggested the potentially massive prize money would likely attract top players despite it being a non-mandatory event.
John Isner questioned the logic behind holding the Saudi Arabia Masters 1000 right after the Australian Open.
"Why would Jannik and Carlos Alcaraz play a non-mandatory 1000 after the Australian Open? Why would they play it? Well, are they holding a stick? Are they going to offer appearance fees, or they can’t? That’s what I think," he said (from 31:10).
He speculated that there might be undisclosed incentives involved, suggesting the situation seemed unclear.
"So, you would logically think that there are going to be appearance fees under the table for these guys to show up and play. It’s completely ridiculous. There are way more questions than answers right now. It makes no sense. But it does feel like they just agreed to it and have nothing worked out," Isner added.
Further, they suggested that the tour likely received a massive payout for the rights to the week. While acknowledging the prestige such an event might bring, they noted that it could ultimately "cannibalize" the rest of the tour.
Andy Roddick also speculated 'massive' appearance fees for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Saudi Arabia Masters 1000
Andy Roddick also echoed similar views to the other former American players, suggesting that top stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would likely be enticed by huge financial incentives to ensure their participation in the new Saudi Arabia Masters 1000. He pointed out that the players currently hold significant leverage in negotiations.
"These appearance fees are going to be massive, and the players have a lot of leverage right now because there's no chance that Saudi is going to want to have this Masters 1000 and then not have Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz show up, and then not have, you know, whoever else show up, right?" Roddick said (4:17) on his podcast.
On the players' side, Sinner expressed a positive view. He suggested that Saudi Arabia, with its young population and growing market, could become very important for tennis.
Alexander Zverev also supported the move, saying that if the large investment benefits players, then it makes sense. He added that although he isn’t a politician and doesn’t wish to weigh in on broader issues, from a tennis perspective, he would play the event if it happened.
