WTA Finals 2024: Top Players Gather in Riyadh for Season-Ending Championship

The 53rd edition of the WTA Finals is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to November 9, marking the first time the event is held in the kingdom. The tournament will be hosted at the King Saud University Indoor Arena and features the top eight singles players and eight doubles teams of the year.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who has won the Australian Open and US Open this year, is a strong favorite to win the title for the first time. However, she will face stiff competition from defending champion Iga Swiatek, who is seeking to become the first player in a decade to win consecutive titles. Other notable players include Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion; Jasmine Paolini, who was a runner-up at both the French Open and Wimbledon; Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion; Jessica Pegula, this year’s US Open runner-up; Qinwen Zheng of China, an Olympic champion; and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.

The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with players divided into two groups. The winners of each group will advance to the semi-finals on November 8, and the finals will take place on November 9. The event boasts a record total prize pool of $15.25 million, with the undefeated singles champion potentially earning around $4 million.

For American viewers, the WTA Finals can be watched on the Tennis Channel, with matches also available for streaming on Fubo, Tennis Channel, and YouTube TV. The first matches will start at 8:30 a.m. ET on November 2, and the schedule will vary throughout the week.

The decision to host the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia has been controversial, with discussions around the country’s human rights record and its impact on women’s sports. Despite these concerns, the event marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to integrate into the global sports landscape.