The unprecedented global events of recent years have impacted the top flight of the ATP no less than any other sporting body. While this year the Shanghai Masters tournament finally looks set to make a triumphant return to Qi Zhong Stadium following a two-year absence, the loss of even a single event among a cohort of nine Masters 1000s has been surely felt—although 2021 of course was a massive improvement over 2020’s paltry three 1000-point events.
Across much of the sporting world, this period has opened up the opportunity for reflection and reform and it may just be that the ATP 1000 is due a shakeup, as well. The last major changes to the top non-Grand Slam series came in 2008, when Hamburg—one of the original Masters Series tournaments beginning in 1990—was replaced with the Shanghai Masters following Madrid’s move to clay courts.
In 2008 the ATP was considering downgrading to eight Masters 1000s, but whether that still makes sense today is questionable. Across the board in sports, from soccer to Formula 1, the number of marquee events has been steadily growing over time. This makes sense considering it gives sports and leagues more opportunities to increase their revenue and visibility. While this must be delicately balanced with the risk of player fatigue, it’s feasible to consider that the ATP 1000 could take on several more events—especially since the ATP 500 has 13 and the ATP 250 holds a staggering 39 tournaments at present.
Below we are going to look at some likely contenders for inclusion in the ATP 1000, from classic courts to innovative new arenas around the world.
Qatar Open, Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex – Qatar
Few ATP venues are making as many headlines in 2022 as Qatar, although of course this is not because of tennis. The small Arabian country is due to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November and December, when five billion spectators are expected to watch event. What’s more, 1.5 million international football fans are expected to travel out to Doha and its associated venues to get a slice of the action in person—many of whom will no doubt make use of betting sites in Qatar to wager on the group stages. In order to rise to the unparalleled infrastructure challenges this event poses to the small nation, Qatar has built new roads, an all-new metro system, airport, and no less than seven new stadiums. To say this is putting the country on the sporting map is an understatement, and the traditional home of the annual ATP 250 event, the Qatar Open, may end up better serving global tennis by getting bumped up into the ATP 1000 roster.
Hamburg Open, Am Rothenbaum – Germany
Since being replaced by Shanghai as an ATP 1000, Hamburg has continued on as part of the ATP 500 circuit. Yet if the demand grows for the ATP 1000s to include more venues, then returning Hamburg to the top spot only makes sense. Historically the event was held in May, which made it a great spot for top-ranked players to hone their games ahead of the French Open. Since its exclusion from the ATP 1000 group, it now takes place in July. However, there’s nothing preventing a further calendar reshuffle that could return Hamburg to the spring, in line with its past tradition. Another key point that could motivate the inclusion of additional tournaments in the ATP 1000 is the current disparity between surfaces. Of the nine regular events, only three are contested on clay—the rest being played on hard courts.
Queen’s Club Championships, The Queen’s Club – United Kingdom
One of the longest running and most prestigious events in the tennis calendar, the Queen’s Club tournament is a grass court warmup for Wimbledon. It’s currently a part of the ATP 500 tour, although if the ATP 1000 wanted to include grass on its roster then this venue fits the bill. After all, any event that draws top talent in order to prepare for Wimbledon is clearly representing the highest levels of the sport. There are often mixed feelings about grass as a surface but because the ATP 1000 is the only major ATP bracket without a single grass event, the inclusion of one would make sense.
should have one on grass
Queens makes sense, it should be 1000
or Halle
Halle has a roof doesn’t it?
I’d prefer it was Queens though but then I’m a Brit
Just read that they are raising profile of Madrid-Rome to be like the sunshine double of clay. But they neglecting the grass season , definitely a Masters needed . The Hall of Fame is another classy tournament but its only a 250 and could also do with not following Wimby so closely.
I also wonder why theres no grass tournaments in Australia with their tradition of that style of tennis . Wishful thinking but I cant see them moving the AO back to grass .