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ALEXANDER ZVEREV SHARES REAL FEELINGS ABOUT MASTERS TOURNAMENT IN SAUDI

Alexander Zverev supports a Saudi Arabia Masters 1000 tournament but wants the ATP to use the revenue to shorten the tennis season. He advocates for a player break, not just schedule expansion.

Alexander Zverev Shares Real Feelings About Masters Tournament In Saudi
Zverev Offers Straightforward Opinion On Event - Credit: Getty Images

Although he stated that he wants it to happen in conjunction with other improvements, Alexander Zverev did not voice any resistance to a future Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia.

The ATP revealed a few days ago that a Masters 1000 competition will take place in Saudi Arabia beginning in 2028 at the latest. It will not replace any current tournaments and will be the tenth to have that status.

It is anticipated to take place in February, though this has not been verified. It is also unknown until further information is revealed, despite rumours that it will be optional, similar to the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Before the announcement, Saudi Arabia's participation in tennis has been increasing. It sponsors the ATP rankings, finances a historic WTA maternity fund, and stages the Six Kings Slam event, the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah, and the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's position in sport is controversial due to its treatment of women, despite recent reforms, and the LGBTQ population, even though the country hosting a Masters 1000 tournament was expected and has been speculated for some time.

Zverev was questioned about his concerns about playing in Saudi Arabia during a press conference at the 2025 Vienna Open. According to the German, who participated in the 2025 Six Kings Slam earlier this month, the nation appeared more welcoming to him.

"The situation is not always ideal when it comes to politics, but they are working to improve it. It felt like a new nation to me this year, even though I had not been there three years prior. I am not a public servant. I play in the Masters 1000 if it is there.
"I do not believe there have been any issues during the thirty years that they have been played in Dubai or Doha. As someone who knows tennis, I can speak for it. The ATP ought to start giving the players something in return for that money.
One of the most outspoken opponents of the demanding tennis schedule has been the world No. 3. Zverev has previously stated that the ATP does not care about the players and has called for a shorter season with fewer required tournaments.

Instead of expanding the schedule without improvements, Zverev wants the money raised from the Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia to be utilised to shorten the season and offer players a break.

"It would be fantastic for us, the players, if they assured us that they would reduce the season by reclaiming events and weeks with the proceeds from the 10th Masters 1000."
"It would be fantastic if the season could be cut short by three or four weeks, allowing us to play until mid-November instead of the end of November or the beginning of December. It would be a beautiful tale if they simply added a tournament and did nothing with that money, but it would not make much sense for the top 10 and top 20.

"Perhaps reorganise or buy back some of the year-end 250 events, to have a preseason that is not only four weeks long, but perhaps eight weeks long, and a season that is three or four weeks shorter."

ULTIMATE FAN RECOGNITION: JANNIK SINNER VOTED FAVORITE, CEMENTING TENNIS STARDOM

Jannik Sinner has been voted the ATP Fans' Favourite singles player for the third consecutive year, placing him alongside his idol, Roger Federer, in the record books.

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Sinner Joins Federer with Three-Peat ATP Award Win

Jannik Sinner's amazing 2025 season keeps getting better. This time, it's not a trophy, but something players value just as much: recognition from the fans.

The four-time Major champ has been voted the ATP Fans' Favourite singles player for the third year in a row. He's only the second player to get this honour three times, putting him next to his idol, Roger Federer.

Federer owned this category from 2003 to 2021, winning it 19 years straight before Rafael Nadal took over in 2022. After Nadal, Sinner is the only winner, getting the ultimate praise from the fans.

Jannik had a wild ride in 2024 and grabbed the ATP number one spot after winning eight ATP titles. He missed three months of 2025 but still snagged six trophies, with an awesome run after the US Open.

Even though he ended up second in the ATP rankings behind Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner still had a bunch of wins and kept moving toward tennis greatness.

The 24-year-old played in 12 tournaments in 2025 and made it to ten finals, showing he can play at a high level consistently. He won six titles but lost the other four to Alcaraz.

Jannik defended his Australian Open title in January and came back strong in May. He played for the title in Rome, Paris, London, Cincinnati, and New York, losing to Carlos four times but becoming the first Italian to win Wimbledon.

Sinner got even better after losing in the US Open final. He finished the season strong, winning four of the last five tournaments, keeping his amazing indoor streak going, and getting ready for 2026.

He ended the season with another great ATP Finals run, winning the title without dropping a set and making history. With this latest win, Jannik now has five ATP awards.

In 2019, he was named Newcomer of the Year. Four years later, Sinner grabbed two awards: Most Improved Player and his first Fans’ Favourite award.

He did it again in 2024 and added another one this season, joining Federer on the short list of multiple-time winners.

COMEBACK QUEEN: RUSEDSKI BACKS EMMA RADUCANU FOR TOP 20 RETURN WITH NEW TEAM

After three surgeries, Emma Raducanu is storming back. Greg Rusedski reveals the three critical things she needs to hit the WTA Top 20 in 2026.

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Raducanu’s Secret to Success and Avoiding the US Open Pressure

It’s been four years since Emma Raducanu's US Open win as a teenager. Since then, the British No. 1 reached a high of No. 10 in the world but then had three surgeries and an early end to her 2023 season. Now, Raducanu's back on track, jumping from outside the top 300 to No. 29 in under two years.

Greg Rusedski, now a commentator, thinks Raducanu can get back into the top 20. He told Express Sport that she needs a solid setup and a reliable team.

Rusedski said that it all depends on her health, managing expectations, and having the right people around her. He noted Mark Petchey's good work in the summer and Francisco Roig's experience with Rafa Nadal. The key is consistent support while staying healthy and keeping up the pace.

He added that winning the US Open changed everything for her, with about eight coaches coming and going. What she needs is to keep moving forward.

Rusedski wants her to forget the US Open win and stay focused with the team she has now. He believes she can get back into the top 20, though it's a tough road from No. 300 to No. 29, requiring health, consistency, and a good team.

After Raducanu's US Open win, she switched coaches a lot, but now she seems to have found a stable team. She worked with Nick Cavaday, her childhood coach, for a year before he had to leave for health reasons.

She then teamed up with Petchey, who also works as a commentator for the Tennis Channel. Currently, she’s working with Roig, and they plan to continue in 2026. Raducanu is training in Barcelona to get ready for the season.

The 2021 US Open champion has also hired Emma Stewart as her physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach and works with French chiropractor Jerome Poupel. Rusedski, who is starting the Off Court with Greg podcast, wants Raducanu to have a “consistent base.”

He said that it’s important to have the right team for support during the ups and downs. He mentioned Andy Murray, Rafa, Roger Federer, and current No. 1 Sabalenka as examples of players with consistent teams.

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