The prestigious WTA Finals, the season-ending championship for the world's top eight women's tennis players, are poised for an extended stay in Saudi Arabia. This follows the successful conclusion of the event's second year in the kingdom as part of an initial three-year agreement.
A New Long-Term Home for Women's Tennis
WTA Chief Executive Portia Archer has confirmed that discussions are underway to keep the lucrative tournament in Saudi Arabia beyond its current deal. The announcement signals a significant and potentially long-term strategic shift for women's professional tennis. The most recent edition of the finals saw Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina make history, winning an unprecedented prize of over $5 million after completing the tournament unbeaten. This is understood to be the largest single prize in the history of women's tennis.
Saudi Arabia's Growing Influence in Tennis
This move to extend the WTA Finals forms a key part of Saudi Arabia's broader and ambitious play within the sport. The kingdom is deepening its cooperation with both the WTA and the men's ATP tour. Key initiatives include the upcoming 'Six Kings Slam' for top male players, a planned ATP 1000 Masters event, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund's sponsorship of the women's rankings.
Archer praised the event's execution, stating, "This is definitely an elite, high-level, professional tennis event... and we've been able to up our game a little bit more this year." She also noted a positive evolution in the local audience, adding, "I can see the difference in the fans who are coming. They're better educated, they're more familiar with tennis."
Context and Future of the Tour Finals
The decision to potentially anchor the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia marks a contrast to its recent history. Over the past decade, the tournament has moved frequently between host cities, including:
- Singapore
- Shenzhen
- Guadalajara
- Fort Worth
- Cancun
- Riyadh
Meanwhile, the men's ATP Finals, taking place this week, have been held in Italy since 2021, following a highly successful decade-long tenure at London's O2 Arena. The men's tournament is confirmed to remain in Italy until at least 2030, though it will move from its current Turin venue.
The news was slightly overshadowed by an on-court incident where champion Elena Rybakina declined a photo opportunity with Archer, reportedly due to an ongoing WTA investigation into her coach, Stefano Vukov.
