Why is there no Masters 1000 on grass?

Iker Jiménez | 12 Jun 2026 | 21.43

Why is there no Masters 1000 on grass? Source: Getty

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With the arrival of June, tennis leaves behind the demand of clay courts and faces a radical transition. The grass emerges as an almost unique surface, with completely different playing conditions and a very short competition period that turns each tournament into a race against the clock to find sensations.

This exclusivity has always been accompanied by a question that arises season after season: why doesn't grass have a Masters 1000? It is striking that the most emblematic scenario in tennis, crowned by Wimbledon, does not have a tournament of that category. The clay courts have three Masters 1000—Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome—before Roland Garros, while grass only has two highly prestigious ATP 500 events. A difference that many consider unfair but has a much more complex explanation than it seems.

During his podcast, Andy Roddick summarized one of the main problems. The American admitted that he would have always liked to compete in a grass Masters 1000 but pointed out that the wear and tear on the courts make it very difficult to organize an event of such magnitude. "The courts at the end of Wimbledon are in ruins," he explained, adding that even Roger Federer had only about 45 minutes of daily training time on the outdoor courts during some tournaments.

Why is there no Masters 1000 on grass?

The main reason is logistics. Keeping a grass court in perfect conditions is much more complicated than doing so with a clay or hard court. Grass requires constant care, and the deterioration caused by several consecutive days of competition is significant. A current Masters 1000 involves large draws, hundreds of practice sessions, and dozens of matches spread across numerous courts over a long week. On a surface like grass, that volume of activity can become a real problem.

Wimbledon is the best example. Despite being the most prestigious tournament in the world, the state of the courts changes radically as the championship progresses. The baseline areas become completely worn out, and the organization must carefully manage training times to preserve the grass. Andy Roddick explained it very vividly: "Only Wimbledon can offer training courts, locker rooms, parking, and hospitality." The infrastructure required for a major grass event is much more demanding than on any other surface.

The ATP calendar problem

Another major obstacle is the calendar. The grass season is by far the shortest on the professional circuit. After Roland Garros, there are only a few weeks to play Queen's, Halle, other ATP 250 tournaments, and reach Wimbledon. Introducing a Masters 1000 would require extending the tour or sacrificing one of the current events.

And here is an additional problem: Queen's and Halle have a huge tradition in tennis. Both tournaments are part of the sport's history and have served for decades as the major buildup to Wimbledon. Transforming one of them into a Masters 1000 might seem like the easiest solution, but it would upset a balance that has been working for many years. Additionally, both events take place in the same week, dividing the top circuit stars.

Could a reduced Masters 1000 on grass be possible?

Perhaps the most realistic alternative would be to replicate the Monte Carlo model. The Monegasque tournament has a smaller draw and is not mandatory within the circuit. A grass Masters 1000 with fewer players could reduce court wear and facilitate organization.

However, it would not be a simple solution either. The circuit would need to find a slot in an already crowded calendar and convince historic tournaments to change their status. Furthermore, Wimbledon already acts somewhat as the dominant event on the surface. Many believe that the prestige of the London Grand Slam overshadows any need for an additional Masters 1000.

Will there ever be a Masters 1000 on grass?

This possibility arises periodically in tennis discussions, especially now that the calendar is constantly evolving with the expansion of the Masters 1000 and the emergence of new international projects. However, the difficulties remain enormous. The maintenance of courts, the lack of specific facilities, the limited calendar space, and the historical weight of Queen's and Halle make the idea a true puzzle.

Paradoxically, the oldest and most prestigious surface in tennis is also the most limited for growth. Perhaps that's why the grass tour maintains a special charm: it is brief, exclusive, and different from everything else. Until those conditions change, the circuit seems destined to continue without a grass Masters 1000. And every June, when tennis dons its green attire, the same question will be back on the table.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Por qué no hay un Masters 1000 sobre hierba?

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