World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has expressed enthusiasm for Saudi Arabia’s swift advancement in sports, calling the progress “incredible” as she prepares to defend her strong showing at the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF, scheduled for November 1–8.
The Belarusian star, who secured the first qualification spot for the elite season-ending event, has dominated the PIF WTA Rankings throughout 2025. Her standout season included a fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open, along with runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and French Open.
Competing in her fifth consecutive WTA Finals, Sabalenka aims to surpass her 2022 runner-up finish and last year’s semifinal appearance in Riyadh—the inaugural professional women’s tennis tournament held in the Kingdom. The event, hosted at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, features the top eight singles and doubles players vying for a record $15.5 million prize pool.
“I’m super excited and honestly can’t wait to get back,” Sabalenka said. “I love that place and playing there. I hope this year I can do better than last year.”
Beyond competition, Sabalenka looks forward to exploring Riyadh further, having enjoyed off-court experiences during her previous visit. “Going shopping was cool, and visiting a friend’s restaurant with amazing food stood out,” she recalled. She also praised a local Japanese restaurant and the comfort of her hotel accommodations.
Sabalenka will face stiff competition from a confirmed field including No. 2 Iga Świątek (Wimbledon champion), No. 3 Coco Gauff (French Open winner), No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 5 Jessica Pegula, No. 6 Jasmine Paolini, No. 7 Elena Rybakina, and No. 8 Madison Keys (Australian Open champion). The tournament begins with a round-robin group stage, advancing the top two from each group of four to the semifinals.
The WTA Finals align with the Saudi Tennis Federation’s ambition to inspire one million people to play tennis by 2030. Since 2019, registered players have risen 46%, with 77 domestic tournaments hosted in 2024 alongside major international events like the WTA Finals and the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.
Grassroots efforts, such as the “Tennis for All” program in partnership with “Sports for All,” reached over 53,000 children across 290 schools in eight cities this year. At the elite level, 79 Saudi players now hold international rankings, and the women’s national team has participated in the Billie Jean King Cup since 2023.
Sabalenka commended the Kingdom’s broader sports initiatives: “It’s incredible what they’re doing—bringing the biggest sports and athletes to Saudi. The project is insane, and I’m grateful to be part of it. I’m happy to inspire the next generation; you can feel the excitement and support.”
