The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is currently in a state of uncertainty regarding the host city for its 2024 season-ending Finals. Reports of a potential relocation to Saudi Arabia have been circulating, although no final decision has been reached by the governing body at this time.
The most recent edition of the Finals was initially set to take place in Cancun, with the announcement made less than two months before the event was scheduled to commence. However, the tournament received criticism from top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka due to various organizational issues.
In response to speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia, the WTA has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with various groups in regards to the 2024 Finals and future events. The association has emphasized the importance of player input in the decision-making process and has underlined that no official decisions have been made at this stage.
In recent years, the Finals have been held in various locations. The 2019 edition was staged in Shenzhen as part of a long-term agreement, but the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was relocated to Guadalajara, Mexico in 2021. The tournament was initially scheduled to return to Shenzhen from 2022, but concerns about the treatment of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai resulted in the suspension of WTA tournaments in China.
The potential relocation of the 2024 Finals to Saudi Arabia comes in the wake of the men’s ATP Tour announcing that its Next Gen Finals for under-21 players will be taking place in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027. This represents the ATP’s inaugural official tournament in the Gulf state and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in a range of sports such as football, Formula One, boxing, and golf.
Nevertheless, the country’s substantial financial contributions to the realm of sports have been met with criticism, with some accusing Saudi Arabia of using sports as a smokescreen to divert attention away from its human rights record. The kingdom has vehemently refuted these allegations, asserting that it enforces national security through its legislative measures and regulations.
As deliberations regarding the 2024 Finals persist, the WTA remains dedicated to cultivating a robust future for women’s tennis. The association is diligently navigating the complexities involved in selecting a suitable host for this esteemed event, taking into consideration various factors such as player involvement and the overall advancement of the sport.
Amidst ongoing negotiations, the determination of the host city for the 2024 WTA Finals remains pending, and the tennis community eagerly anticipates the announcement of the final verdict.