ATP eyeing up Masters 1000 grass court event in London or Germany

ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi has confirmed he is keen to introduce a Masters 1000 event on grass that could be held at Queen’s Club in London. 

With the grass court season condensed this summer as the French Open has been moved back by a week, there are doubts over how the shorted 

“I personally like the concept of having an ATP Masters 1000 tournament on grass the week of Queen’s and Halle,” Gaudenzi told The Times. “It is something I have proposed to the stakeholders and to the board.

“I like the concept of a strong Masters 1000 leading into Wimbledon. We have a grand slam on grass but not a Masters 1000.”

There has never been a Masters event on grass since the tournaments was created back in 1990, with all tournaments in Germany, Britain, and the Netherlands either ATP 250 or 500 events.

While Queen’s has long been viewed as the most prestigious pre-Wimbledon event, Halle may be a favourite to stage a Masters series event as they have a roof on their centre court and a wider area to work with.

The event at Queen’s Club is pieced together each summer in tight surrounds at the plush west London tennis club that is also used by members for the rest of the year.

It remains to be seen whether the heritage of the Queen’s Club will carry the day if and when the ATP make their decision on the Masters 1000 event on grass, but there may be an option to have both Halle and Queen’s on different weeks to ensure both retain a prominent place in the grass court season.

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