Riyadh, November 3, 2024 — The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals kicked off on Saturday at the prestigious indoor arena of King Saud University, marking a historic event for Saudi Arabia as it hosts the season finale of the 2024 WTA tour. The tournament, taking place from November 2 to November 9, brings together the world’s top female tennis players to compete for a prize pool exceeding $15 million. Organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and sponsored by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), this event underscores Saudi Arabia's increasing commitment to hosting major global sports competitions.
The opening ceremony saw the attendance of Vice Minister of Sport Bader Alkadi, who emphasized the Kingdom’s ambition to promote women’s sports on an international scale. As the tournament opened to enthusiastic crowds, eight of the world’s elite players in the singles category and eight teams in the doubles category began their journey towards claiming the prestigious season-ending title.
The first day of the WTA Finals treated fans to thrilling action, beginning with two captivating doubles matches. American Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Australian Ellen Perez showcased exceptional teamwork to claim a decisive victory over Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei and Belgium’s Elise Mertens, taking the match in straight sets. This strong performance set a high bar for the competition and was followed by a major upset from another doubles team.
Czech player Katerina Siniakova and American Taylor Townsend took to the court with fierce determination, ultimately defeating the formidable duo of Latvian Jelena Ostapenko and Ukrainian Lyudmyla Kichenok in a gripping three-set match. Siniakova and Townsend’s victory added excitement to the tournament’s opening, demonstrating that the doubles category promises unpredictable outcomes as the finals progress.
The singles matches featured equally high-stakes encounters, as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus faced China’s Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive style and relentless energy, triumphed in straight sets, making a commanding statement in the opening match of the singles category. She attributed her victory to mental resilience and crowd support, emphasizing that playing against Zheng always presents a challenge. “Matches against her are always tough,” Sabalenka shared in a post-match interview. “However, the mental aspect was decisive, and the support from the crowd intensified the competition, pushing me to perform my best.”
In the second singles match, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini secured her own impressive win against Kazakh player Elena Rybakina. Paolini’s straight-sets victory demonstrated her consistent form and readiness to compete at the highest level, as she skillfully navigated Rybakina’s powerful shots to secure the match.
The WTA Finals in Riyadh highlight Saudi Arabia’s progress in the sports industry, as the Kingdom increasingly becomes a hub for prestigious global events. Reflecting on the tournament’s organization, Sabalenka expressed gratitude for the high standards, noting that the event’s seamless execution exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to excellence. “I thank the Kingdom for this wonderful organization,” she added, “which reflects its capability in hosting global events.”
This inaugural WTA Finals event in Riyadh stands as a milestone for women’s sports in Saudi Arabia, with the country’s significant investment and dedication to world-class standards evident throughout the tournament. As players vie for the coveted title, fans in Riyadh and around the world can anticipate an exciting week of tennis that concludes the 2024 season on a high note.
