WTA Finals set to be the most lucrative event in women’s tennis – what’s up for grabs?
The most lucrative event in women’s tennis is about to get underway, with the controversial WTA Finals about to kick-off in Saudi Arabia.
Why is this tournament controversial?
The backlash against the WTA moving their most important event to Riyadh has been rumbling on for several months, with tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert among those suggesting they will not support the event while it is being staged in a kingdom that had a contentious record with regards to women’s rights.
Yet the WTA Tour had limited options when they were looking to find a home for their most important event, with last year’s Finals in Cancun, Mexico troubled by woeful weather and organisational issues.
The 2022 WTA Finals were played in front of sparse crowds in Texas, with the prospect of a long-standing deal and the financial security of a move to Saudi Arabia guaranteeing too much to resist for an organisation that has struggled to compete with the men’s ATP Tour in recent years.
Swiatek has given her thoughts on the move to take the WTA Tour Finals to Riyadh, as she hopes tennis can promote change in Saudi.
“I hope this influence is going to be positive in terms of the change that happens,” said Swiate. “WTA has told us before, when we had plenty of meetings, that this is one of the goals to make some changes there. We’ll see how that’s going to go.
“No matter where the finals are going to be, I just hope it’s going to be a nice atmosphere. I hope WTA is going to take care of that so we can just play tennis and enjoy it.”
While some players may have had reservations about playing in Saudi Arabia, the cash rewards on offer will soften the blow, with the WTA Tour Finals champion taking home an eye-watering $2,500,000.
The runner-up will collect $1,270,000 and $350,000 is on offer for each win in the round-robin group phase.
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Players will also be assured of a $335,000 appearance fee, ensuring the game’s best players have all made the trip to Saudi Arabia.
Iga Swiatek is set to return to action after taking a break from tennis after the US Open, as she is set to resume her battle for the world No 1 spot with Aryna Sabalenka.
Coco Gauff is in Riyadh aiming to end her season on a high, while Elena Rybakina is looking to put a troubled few weeks behind her by shining at this final event of the year.
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini is a player to watch after her stellar 2024 secured her qualification for a first WTA Finals.
Jessica Pegula will be aiming to take the form that took her to the US Open into the WTA Finals and Zheng Qinwen will be a player to watch as she will thrive on the fast hard court in Riyadh.
Barbora Krejcikova is the final player in the WTA Finals line-up, as she qualified after he fine win at Wimbledon last July.
The year-end World No.1 ranking will also be determined in Riyadh, with Sabalenka and Swiatek in contention for the season-ending top spot.
Sabalenka can secure the Year-End No.1 ranking by either:
- Winning three round robin matches
- Winning two round robin matches and advancing to the final
- Winning one round robin match and advancing to the final
Swiatek must win the title to have a chance at securing the No.1 ranking and:
- If Swiatek loses one round robin match, then Sabalenka only needs to win two round robin matches to secure the
Year-End No.1 ranking - If Swiatek loses two round robin matches, then Sabalenka only needs to win one round robin match to secure the
Year-End No.1 ranking
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