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WTA Finals Riyadh: Let the battle begin!

  • Writer: Hamid Hussain
    Hamid Hussain
  • Nov 2, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 7, 2024

It’s that time of year again—the WTA Finals! The top eight women in tennis go head-to-head to see who will be crowned queen of the court. This year’s showdown is set to take place in Riyadh, where it’s bound to be epic. Let's take a look at our contenders.


The Top 8: A Quick Rundown

Here’s who made the cut, with their 2024 title counts for a little extra context:


  1. Aryna Sabalenka – 4 Titles

  2. Iga Świątek – 5 Titles

  3. Coco Gauff – 2 Titles

  4. Jasmine Paolini – 1 Title

  5. Elena Rybakina – 3 Titles

  6. Jessica Pegula – 2 Titles

  7. Qinwen Zheng – 2 Titles

  8. Barbora Krejcikova – 1 Title


Why the Uneven Title Counts?

You might wonder why some players have more titles than others—it's not just a popularity contest! Different tournaments award different points, and the further you go in a tournament, the more points you rack up. Plus, some of these players have bagged Grand Slam titles, so their wins pack an extra punch.


Riyadh Awaits: Will the Rust Show?

This year’s WTA Finals promises some serious competition, and a couple of the big names—Iga Świątek and Elena Rybakina—haven't even played since the US Open. Will they show up refreshed, or will the time off leave them a bit rusty? Only time (and perhaps the Riyadh heat) will tell.


A Quick Detour: The Saudi Sports Takeover

Speaking of Riyadh, can we talk about how every sport seems to be moving to Saudi Arabia? Boxing, golf, tennis—heck, if cricket or even the Premier League were to relocate, would anyone be shocked at this point? Is it all just a distraction while they carry out some grand plan? Your guess is as good as mine!


Back to the Players: Who’s Got the Edge?


Aryna Sabalenka: The Formidable Favorite?

Sabalenka is in red-hot form lately. Will she keep her momentum going all the way to a championship in Riyadh? With four titles under her belt, she’s definitely a force to be reckoned with, but the Finals bring out the best in everyone—so she won’t have it easy.


Iga Świątek: The Defending Champion:

Iga Świątek the 2024 Roland Garros champion has been in unbelievable form this year. Not to anybody’s surprise. She is always the favourite in any tournament she plays in. At just 23 with 5 grand slams under under her wing, she has a great future and could break many records or become a legend.


Jasmine Paolini: Ready to Cause an Upset?

Jasmine Paolini might only have one title, but she’s coming in ready to challenge the top contenders. Could she be the underdog story of this tournament? Stranger things have happened!


Coco Gauff: Still a Contender

The 2024 US Open champion Coco Gauff hasn’t been in peak form lately, but she’s still young, incredibly talented, and not someone you can count out. This is a player who’s been steadily improving, and at just 20, her best days are still ahead of her.


Elena Rybakina: With a point to prove:

Elena Rybakina the former Wimbledon has had a great season too and she is a personal favourite of mine, so I will be rooting for her. I think that she can win this tournament and let us hope that her injury doesn’t return.

Jessica Pegula: Hungry for Redemption

Pegula made it to the US Open final, only to fall short. Will she channel that disappointment into a win at the WTA Finals? She’s got the skill and the tenacity, so don’t count her out. A win here could be the perfect remedy to her recent heartbreak.


Barbora Krejcikova: Can the underdog prevail again?

Barbora Krejcikova has had an impeccable season as she won this year's Wimbledon, which was not on the cards. I think that we should not underestimate her in this tournament.


Qinwen Zheng: Olympic Champion with a Point to Prove

Qinwen Zheng 2024s Olympic gold medalist, is on a hot streak. She recently triumphed over Świątek at the Olympics, and if you saw the medal ceremony, you know Świątek was not exactly thrilled with her new rival. In their last face-off, Zheng nearly toppled Sabalenka, coming much closer than before. At just 22, Zheng is one of the most promising (and dangerous) young players out there.


Who Will Claim the Throne?

The WTA Finals in Riyadh promise some fierce battles and maybe a few surprises. My prediction? Qinwen Zheng is the one to watch. I think she’s got what it takes to go all the way and claim the crown.


Let the games begin—may the best woman win!


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Hope you enjoyed today’s cut of The Fan’s Playbook. Stay tuned for more, and as always, stick to the playbook.

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