Elena Rybakina has made history by becoming the first player to secure a spot in the 2025 WTA Tour Finals, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following an impressive comeback victory over top-ranked player Iga Świątek. After losing the first set 3-6, Rybakina dominated the match, winning 12 of the next 13 games to finish with a final score of 3-6, 6-1, 6-0.
In another match on the same day, Amanda Anisimova triumphed over a struggling Madison Keys, who was battling illness, setting the stage for a crucial qualification matchup against Świątek scheduled for Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the competition continued with Jessica Pegula claiming victory against fellow American Coco Gauff. Despite struggling with her forehand and committing 17 double faults, Pegula rallied to win the match in three sets, securing a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 win. Gauff’s performance highlights her ongoing adjustments to her game, while Aryna Sabalenka dispatched Jasmine Paolini in a straightforward 6-3, 6-1 win, marking her strong performance in the tournament.
Both Rybakina and Świątek had strong showings on the opening day, with Świątek convincingly defeating Keys 6-1, 6-2, and Rybakina dominating Anisimova 6-3, 6-1. In total, four players clinched Grand Slam titles this season: Keys at the Australian Open, Gauff at the French Open, Świątek at Wimbledon, and Sabalenka at the U.S. Open. Sabalenka and Świątek, currently ranked first and second, were separated in the group-stage draw, alongside six other players including Rybakina, Anisimova, Pegula, and Paolini.
Notably, Rybakina’s success in the final stages of the regular season allowed her to surpass Mirra Andreeva for the eighth qualification spot in the finals, with Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova named as potential alternates. Keys, on the mend from an unspecified injury, has not competed since the U.S. Open.
The groups for the upcoming finals are as follows:
Steffi Graf Group:
– Aryna Sabalenka
– Amanda Anisimova
– Jessica Pegula
– Madison Keys
Serena Williams Group:
– Iga Świątek
– Coco Gauff
– Elena Rybakina
– Jasmine Paolini
As the tournament unfolds, the format consists of players segmented into groups where they will play three round-robin matches. The top two from each group will proceed to the semifinals, culminating in a final showdown.
Gauff emerged victorious in the 2024 WTA Tour Finals, showcasing her talent in Riyadh last year, and she will look to reclaim the title this year. The total prize money for the WTA Tour Finals is a staggering $15.5 million, with substantial awards allocated for match wins, ensuring that the event remains highly competitive and rewarding for its participants.
The decision to host the WTA Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia aligns with the kingdom’s commitment to engaging with global sports. While the tournament faced scrutiny due to Saudi Arabia’s controversial human rights record, organizers believe in a future of stability and positive growth for the event amid ongoing discussions about women’s rights and representation in the kingdom.
The upcoming events promise an exciting display of tennis and further opportunities for players to showcase their skills on a global stage.