Stunning news this week is that the ATP will cancel the Hall of Fame Championships ATP tournament next July and a new ATP tournament will begin in July 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The WTA Finals is also expected to be transferred to Saudi Arabia.
The final Hall of Fame Open will be contested from July 14-21 in 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund, has already invested in professional golf, Formula One auto racing, cricket, and major boxing events including the recent WBC Heavyweight Championship fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame promises that summer professional tennis in Newport, Rhode Island will continue to thrive despite the absence of the ATP Hall of Fame Open.
“The ITHF is in the process of reimagining professional tennis in Newport with the expectation that beginning in 2025 a new era of pro tennis on the historic courts will begin… the ITHF is actively exploring opportunity to host new professional tennis events in Newport.”
Pro tennis in Newport has a very special appeal and allure. There are big donors in Newport who have funded the Hall of Fame, most recently the reconstruction of the new grass courts which cost around $400,000. So it’s possible, the evolution of a new summer event in Newport could actually exceed the Hall of Fame Open, perhaps in the form of a special exhibition or combined mixed event.
ATP · grass court tennis · Hall of Fame · Newport · Saudi Arabia
Cory · November 9, 2023 at 9:53 am
In your opinion, will a non-ATP-sanctioned tournament (2025 & beyond) have the same drawing player for the players as an ATP250? (maybe compared to heading to Saudi-Arabia, yes). Could the HOF Open still afford pay the prize money of an ATP 250? The lack of points would be troubling for the 250-type player who certainly needs them.
Scoop Malinowski · November 9, 2023 at 11:08 am
Cory, all good questions. Maybe a Challenger could be the replacement. Fairly certain Newport public wants pro tennis in July at the site, whatever level, even if it’s lower level. The ATP 250 was always known for a weaker draw with leftovers, points scavengers and grass court specialists. I’d still like to cover a tournament there in July 2025 even if it’s a prize money draw with a bunch of Kozlovs (currently ranked 600 something) and Donald Youngs. Combined with a womens draw of similar level would be interesting 300-1000. A combined atp/wta challenger would still sell IMO. Maybe PTPA can get involved.