The WTA appears to have learned from past mistakes and begun negotiations to determine the host country for the 2024 WTA Finals.
In an email to Reuters, a WTA spokesperson wrote that discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the WTA players, are currently in place, whose feedback will certainly be critical in reaching a decisive conclusion. However, no formal decision has been taken.
The WTA Finals is the women’s year-end flagship tournament that assembles the world’s best eight players to compete for record prize money and a maximum of 1,500 ranking points. Poland’s Iga Swiatek won this year’s edition in a record-setting run and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking.
But the tournament in Cancun was marred by chaos. Firstly, the players did not positively receive the tour’s decision to announce the host city so late in the season. Secondly, the build-up was far from ideal, with the players arriving in Mexico and observing a construction site rather than a tennis court.
The main court was only fully built a day before the first matchday, and some qualifying women heavily criticized this shocking occurrence. In fact, since 2019, the WTA Finals has not had a permanent home, with the women’s governing body flitting hosts each year since 2021.
Following the 10-year contract cancelation with Shenzhen (due to COVID-19), the WTA is now exploring the option for a long-term host of a tournament traditionally expected to be the crown jewel of women’s tennis.
It has been rumored that Saudi Arabia is set to host the premier women’s competition beginning in the 2024 season after missing out on this year’s bidding process. However, the WTA did not shed light on this report, although talks of naming a new host are underway.
“We are in discussions with various groups surrounding the 2024 WTA Finals and beyond and have not made any decisions at this time. As with all WTA decisions, we are working closely with players and focused on continuing to build a strong future for women’s tennis.”
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