The women’s tennis season is coming to its grand finale. The WTA Finals Riyadh 2025, presented by PIF, gathers the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams at the King Saud University Indoor Arena. Play begins on Saturday, November 1, and for eight intense days, the world’s best will battle for glory, history, and a record prize pool.
Matches will be played on indoor hard courts with the Wilson US Open Regular Duty ball, following a round-robin format. Each group of four meets once, and the two best advance to the semifinals on November 7, leading up to the singles final on Saturday, November 8. According to WTA Tennis, the event crowns the season’s most consistent and dominant performer.
The prize money is staggering. The total purse stands at 15.5 million dollars, with 12.4 million going to singles and 3.1 million to doubles. A player who goes undefeated could take home more than 5.2 million dollars and 1,500 ranking points, one of the biggest paydays in tennis history.
Coco’s defense, Serena’s comeback and Sabalenka’s mission
Reigning champion Coco Gauff, only 21, arrives in Riyadh ready to defend her crown and chase history. If she wins again, she will become the first back-to-back WTA Finals champion since Serena Williams, who dominated the event from 2012 to 2014.
Serena’s return is one of the week’s biggest storylines. The former world number one, now playing a limited schedule, joins a powerhouse field that includes Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys, and Jasmine Paolini.
Sabalenka has enjoyed a brilliant year with four titles, including a second straight US Open crown. Swiatek finally conquered Wimbledon, proving she can win on every surface. Gauff enters fresh off her Wuhan Open victory, looking sharper than ever after a turbulent summer.
The field is divided into two legendary groups:
- Stefanie Graf Group: Sabalenka, Gauff, Pegula, Paolini
- Serena Williams Group: Swiatek, Anisimova, Rybakina, Keys
How to watch the WTA Finals 2025
Fans can watch the action worldwide through the WTA TV streaming service, ESPN, or regional broadcast partners. European and American audiences will enjoy prime-time coverage, while Latin American fans can follow along via ESPN Deportes and other local carriers. Highlights and replays will also be available on the WTA’s official website and YouTube channels.
A finale made for history
The stage in Riyadh is set for more than just tennis. It is a meeting of generations, a celebration of athletic excellence, and a glimpse into the future of the sport. With record money, legendary names, and rivalries that have defined the last decade, this year’s WTA Finals might be remembered as one of the most spectacular in history.
The desert lights are ready. The cameras are rolling. And the Billie Jean King Trophy is waiting for its next name.
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