It’s greater than eighteen months since bidding invites had been issued to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Australia, with the choice to decide on Saudi one of many worst saved secrets and techniques within the sport.
A tenth Masters occasion was at all times envisaged however – till the principles had been modified in a vote earlier this yr – would have needed to be staged in both the primary week of the yr or on grass earlier than Wimbledon.
Now, although, it may happen any time, and is anticipated to be staged in February, when the ATP already visits the Gulf area for occasions in Doha and Dubai.
However the ATP is just not confirming that publicly as a result of the date is assured to upset somebody.
Staging the event in Saudi Arabia within the first week of the yr can be thought-about a hostile gesture by Tennis Australia, as most of its main males would not play within the nation within the lead as much as the Australian Open.
Scheduling it in February may divert gamers away from conventional clay courtroom occasions in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, and European indoor tournaments just like the one in Rotterdam.
One favoured resolution is to create two streams of February tournaments – one within the Center East and the opposite in South America – with the European occasions shifting to later within the yr.
It isn’t but identified how a lot prize cash the Saudi event will supply, however the ATP units a minimal prize cash for all Masters 1000 occasions.
Subsequent week’s Paris Masters, which additionally has a 56-man area, is providing the minimal of 6,128,940 euros (£5,328,338).
Tournaments are allowed to pay extra in prize cash – so long as the rise is distributed evenly all through the draw.
The Indian Wells Masters this yr supplied an additional $500,000 (£374,650), however it’s uncommon for Masters 1000 occasions to supply greater than the minimal required.
