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Rumors & truth: How the ATP Tour and its leadership could address concerns over 2024 season

From ball variations to demanding schedules to new presence in Saudi Arabia, there are many questions up for discussion about the future of the ATP Tour.

By Joel Drucker
PRESS CONFERENCE: Carlos Alcaraz talks Jannik Sinner friendship, Jerry Shang's potential and "tight" schedule"8:38

Looking back, looking forward. With the 2024 ATP season in the books, Joel Drucker has nine notable storylines to consider over the next few weeks—before the next year of men's tennis begins. (On mobile devices, scroll down to read more ATP takeways; on desktop, you'll see additional entires on the left side of your screen.)

RIYADH, SAUDIA ARABIA - FEBRUARY 28: In this handout image provided by PIF, Massimo Calvelli, CEO, ATP (Sitting, Left) and Kevin Foster, Head of Corporate Affairs, PIF (Sitting, Right), Raffaella Valentino, VP Sales, ATP (Standing, Left), Daniele Sano, Chief Business Officer, ATP (Standing, Center Left), Mohamed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand, PIF (Standing, Center Right), Alanoud Althonayan, Head of Sponsorships & Events, PIF (Standing, Right) unveil a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport on February 28th, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by PIF via Getty Images)
© PIF via Getty Images

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi faces a wide range of topics. Some are perennial, such as concerns about variances in balls, court speeds, and, at least among top players, what they perceive as an overly demanding schedule, particularly now that more Masters 1000 events are spread out over a two-week period. 

Then there are also new topics, most notably the increasing presence of Saudi Arabia in professional tennis. Factor in this that the Masters 1000 stops in Miami and Madrid, each owned by IMG, are both strongly rumored to be for sale.

Might Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), already an ATP sponsor, seek to acquire one or even two of these prime properties? Would such a purchase trigger a relocation, be it geographically or perhaps on the tennis calendar (such as a Saudia Arabia-based Masters 1000 event held in January)? Or will a new owner group seek to upgrade the existing facilities? 

Added to this are constant rumors about the overall configuration of the ATP Tour, be it on its own or, as has frequently been discussed, in some sort of partnership with the WTA.