Saudi Arabia has clinched the bid to host the upcoming three editions of the WTA Finals, marking a significant milestone in women’s tennis. With a record prize money of $15.25 million (£12 million), the event is poised to become the largest annual women’s sporting spectacle in the kingdom.
Scheduled from 2024 to 2026, the WTA Finals represent the pinnacle of the tour’s calendar, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles pairs vying for the prestigious title. This year’s tournament is set to unfold from November 2nd to November 9th in Saudi Arabia.
The collaboration between the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation was widely anticipated within the tennis community, following discussions since the close of the previous year. However, the decision has not been devoid of controversy, as Saudi Arabia faces scrutiny for alleged sportswashing of its human rights records and constraints on women’s freedoms.
Renowned tennis figures, including Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, had previously voiced concerns, urging the WTA to reconsider hosting the event in Saudi Arabia. Despite these reservations, Steve Simon, the Chairman and CEO of the WTA, sees the move as a progressive step towards bolstering the global presence of women’s tennis.
The journey to Saudi Arabia for the WTA Finals has seen several twists and turns. Initially in talks for the event last year, Saudi Arabia secured a one-year deal in Cancún, offering a prize purse of $9 million (£7.1 million). This marked a departure from the previous record set in 2019 in Shenzhen, China, where the prize money amounted to $14 million.
Following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent editions were held in Guadalajara, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Cancún on short-term agreements. Notably, last year’s tournament faced criticism from players due to adverse weather conditions and uneven court surfaces.
While the decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the WTA Finals has sparked debate, it represents a significant moment for the sport’s global expansion. With the kingdom offering substantial financial backing and infrastructure support, the event aims to elevate the stature of women’s tennis on the world stage.
