ATP Proposes Major Changes for 2028, Allocating $350 Million for Player Compensation

The letter, made public on Thursday, addresses various aspects including player compensation, the ranking system, calendar structure, and the future of doubles. Gaudenzi emphasizes that these proposals are not finalized and await further consultation and approval. The goal is to present a complete package for consideration at the upcoming meetings in Turin.

The financial aspect is the largest component of the proposed changes, with the ATP planning to invest over $100 million annually starting in 2028, in addition to on-site prize money and tournament-level profit-sharing. This is expected to bring total player compensation to approximately $350 million a year by that date.

Significantly, the ATP Bonus Pool, which rewards players participating in major events, would increase from $21.5 million to $50 million. An additional $25 million is proposed for year-end career support for players within the Top 250 of the PIF ATP Rankings to assist with competitive costs. Furthermore, around $30 million annually would enhance pension and retirement benefits for 300 players.

Another key proposal involves modifying the ranking system to emphasize results from major events more heavily, thereby reducing the current incentives for players to join tournaments after a poor performance to salvage points. Gaudenzi notes that rewards should align with fan engagement, though specific point values were not disclosed.

The calendar changes aim to organize events by category into dedicated weeks to minimize overlap. The structure being discussed includes 10 weeks of ATP 250s, eight weeks of ATP 500s, and 10 Masters 1000 events, with a reduction in the number of 250-level tournaments. Gaudenzi highlights that this aims to create a more coherent season for players and fans, maintaining that participation remains a choice for players.

The addition of a 10th Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia is confirmed as part of the 2028 framework, reinforcing the top tier of tournaments alongside existing events in locations such as Indian Wells, Miami, and Rome.

There are also plans to review doubles formats and prize money distribution. The letter states that any prize money saved from doubles would be redirected to player compensation, specifically benefitting singles qualifying and early-round earnings, although specific figures or formats were not provided.

This proposal arrives amid ongoing discussions about the calendar's structure and follows a recent antitrust case involving the ATP, WTA, and Grand Slams, which is currently progressing to discovery.