The 2025 season on the WTA Tour has been unforgettable, showcasing dominant players, the emergence of young talents, and some unexpected champions.
However, the season isn’t over yet.
While several players have already taken a well-deserved break on the beach, the elite competitors are still in action, aiming to secure the last title of the year at the WTA Finals.
The tournament, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—a choice that sparked some controversy—starts with round-robin matches on Saturday. It features the top eight singles players and eight doubles teams, boasting a total prize pool of $15.5 million.
After six days, each player or team will play three matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. The event wraps up on November 8, with the singles champion vying for up to $5.235 million in prize money and the doubles winners aiming for $1.139 million, plus ranking points.
Participants Overview
Singles
Stefanie Graf Group
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Coco Gauff
- Jessica Pegula
- Jasmine Paolini
Serena Williams Group
- Iga Swiatek
- Amanda Anisimova
- Madison Keys
- Elena Rybakina
Doubles
Martina Navratilova Group
- Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
- Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens
- Su-wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko
- Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs
Liezel Huber Group
- Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend
- Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe
- Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider
- Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani
Gauff Aims for Repeat
It’s been a mixed season for Gauff, currently ranked third and the top American player. After winning her second major title at the French Open, she faced challenges, notably with her serve and a coaching change before the US Open.
As the defending champion in Riyadh, Gauff has found her form again, recently winning the Wuhan title. “This definitely gives me confidence for the WTA Finals,” Gauff shared after her victory, expressing her determination to defend her title.
American Representation
The inclusion of Anisimova, Pegula, and Keys means that Americans make up half of the singles field in Saudi Arabia, marking the largest presence since 2003. Anisimova is making her debut after reaching her first major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, while Pegula has qualified for the fourth straight year. Keys returns after a hiatus since 2016, following her Australian Open win earlier this year.
The Race for No. 1
After Swiatek won Wimbledon, she seemed close to regaining her No. 1 ranking from Sabalenka. However, following a disappointing performance in Beijing, Swiatek is now unable to overtake Sabalenka, who has secured the top spot for the second consecutive year.
Momentum Leading to the Finals
Players like Paolini and Rybakina made late pushes to claim their spots, with Paolini reaching back-to-back semifinals and Rybakina winning in Ningbo just last week. Both will arrive in Riyadh with valuable momentum as they vie for the final title of the year.
Defending Doubles Champions
Dabrowski and Routliffe, the defending champions following their US Open triumph, face the challenge of repeating their success. They have struggled post-US Open, but with previous experience, they aim to reclaim their title despite a tough field, including favorites Errani and Paolini, and Siniakova and Townsend.
