Saudi money talks: WTA Finals heading to Riyadh

Saudi millions and a lengthy lobbying campaign paid dividends on Thursday as the WTA sent the year-end Finals to the kingdom for a three-year run.

The move should hand the cash-strapped sanctioning body a massive financial lifeline at the cost of worldwide controversy.

The first edition of the eight-player event is set for November 2-9.

Global prize money for the week will start at USD 15.25 million with increases promised annually.

The WTA touted the “plans to grow the global fanbase for women’s tennis through increased investment in marketing, digital and fan engagement,” in a release.

The WTA tournament is the second on the Tours to relocate to the desert, following the ATP NextGen Under-21 event which was staged in Jeddah five months ago.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

2 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago