The WTA Finals (formerly known as the WTA Tour Championships[3] or WTA Championships) is the season-ending championship of the WTA Tour. It is the most significant tennis event in the women's annual calendar after the four majors, as it features the top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams based on their results throughout the season. The eighth spot is reserved, if needed, for a player or team who won a major in the current year and is ranked from ninth to twentieth.
The tournament predates the WTA Tour and started in 1972 as the championship tournament of the Tour's predecessor: the Virginia Slims Circuit. Since 2003, the tournament has used a unique format not seen in other WTA Tour events: the players are separated into two groups of four, within which they each play three round-robin matches. The top two players or teams from each group after the round-robin stage move on to a knock-out format in the semifinals and final to determine the champion.
The WTA Finals has the largest prize money and ranking points after the majors. The most successful player in both singles and doubles history is Martina Navratilova, with eight singles and 13 doubles titles.
In the tournament's current format, the champion can earn a maximum of 1,500 ranking points, if they win the event as an undefeated champion in the round-robin stage.
Tournament
History
The championships were held for the first time in October 1972 in Boca Raton, Florida (USA) as a climactic event at the end of a series of tournaments sponsored by Virginia Slims, called the Virginia Slims Circuit.[4] From 1972 to 1974, the event was held in October, before switching to March from 1975 until 1986. The WTA then decided to adopt a January–November playing season, and so the event was switched to being held at the end of each year. As a consequence, there were two championships held in 1986.
The event was held in Los Angeles, California from 1974 to 1976 before moving to Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1977. With the exception of a one-year move to Oakland, California in 1978, the Championships remained at MSG until 2000. The event then briefly moved to Munich, Germany in 2001. More recently, it moved back to Los Angeles from 2002 to 2005. The 2006 and 2007 editions were held in Madrid, Spain. Doha, Qatar hosted the 2008–2010 editions before passing the flag to Istanbul, Turkey, which hosted the 2011–2013 editions.[5] For the right to host the 2014 edition and beyond, 43 cities expressed an interest before a short list comprising Kazan, Russia; Mexico City, Mexico; Singapore; and Tianjin, China was drawn up in late 2012.[6] Kazan and Mexico City were ruled out in early 2013[7] before Singapore was announced in May 2013 as the new host city for five years.[8][9] In 2018, the WTA announced the host city from 2019 to 2028 would be Shenzhen, China,[10] however due to COVID-19, the tournament was cancelled in 2020 and had to find alternative hosting sites from 2020–2023.[11][12] In April 2024, the WTA announced that the host city from 2024–2026 would be Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[13]
From 1984 to 1998, the final of the championships was a best-of-five-sets match, making it the only tournament on the women's tour to have had a best-of-five match at any round of the competition.[14] It was the first time since the 1901 U.S. National Championships that the best-of-five format was used in women's matches.[15] In 1999, the final reverted to being a best-of-three-sets match. From the 1974 until the 1982 edition the doubles draw consisted of four teams; then from 1983 to 2002 the draw increased to eight teams; was decreased back to four teams until 2013 and from the 2014 edition onward it has been made up of eight teams. From its first inception in 1973 until 2018 the doubles draw was played in a single elimination format. In 2015 and from 2019 until the present the doubles draw has been played in a round robin format.[9]
Qualified players and teams participate in a round-robin format in two groups of four. The winners and runners-up of each group advance to the semifinals. The semifinal winners progress through to the finals where they compete for the title.
Qualification
To qualify for the WTA Finals, players compete throughout the year in WTA events throughout the world, as well as the ITF-sanctioned events, such as the four Grand Slams. Players earn ranking points on the leaderboard, and the top seven singles players and top seven doubles teams on this leaderboard at the conclusion of the WTA season (as of the Monday following the final regular season tournament) earn the right to compete in the WTA Finals. The eighth spot in the WTA Finals is awarded to the highest-ranking Grand Slam winner (and highest-ranking Grand Slam winning team for doubles) ranked 8-20 in the standings. If no player (and/or doubles team) meets this criterion, then the 8th ranked player (and/or doubles team) in the standings qualifies.[16]
In singles, point totals are calculated by combining points from up to 18 tournaments. Of these tournaments, a player's point total is calculated based on the following: the four Grand Slam events, best six results of the seven combined WTA 1000 tournaments, best result of the three non-combined WTA 1000 tournaments, and lastly the next best seven results from all non-125 WTA tournaments. In doubles, point totals are calculated by the 12 best results among any of the non-125 WTA tournaments and Grand Slams.[17]
Venues
| Years
|
City
|
Country
|
Venue
|
Surface
|
Capacity
|
| 1972–73
|
Boca Raton
|
United States
|
Boca Raton Hotel & Club
|
Clay
|
|
| 1974–76
|
Los Angeles
|
United States
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
|
Carpet
|
14,800
|
| 1977
|
New York City
|
United States
|
Madison Square Garden
|
Carpet
|
18,000
|
| 1978
|
Oakland
|
United States
|
Oakland Arena
|
Carpet
|
13,200
|
| 1979–2000
|
New York City
|
United States
|
Madison Square Garden
|
Carpet
|
18,000
|
| 2001
|
Munich
|
Germany
|
Olympiahalle
|
Hard (i)
|
12,000
|
| 2002–05
|
Los Angeles
|
United States
|
Staples Center
|
Hard (i)
|
17,000
|
| 2006–07
|
Madrid
|
Spain
|
Madrid Arena
|
Hard (i)
|
10,500
|
| 2008–10
|
Doha
|
Qatar
|
Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex
|
Hard
|
6,911
|
| 2011–13
|
Istanbul
|
Turkey
|
Sinan Erdem Dome
|
Hard (i)
|
16,410
|
| 2014–18
|
Singapore
|
Singapore
|
Singapore Indoor Stadium
|
Hard (i)
|
10,000
|
| 2019
|
Shenzhen
|
China
|
Shenzhen Bay Sports Center
|
Hard (i)
|
12,000
|
| 2021
|
Guadalajara
|
Mexico
|
Panamerican Tennis Center
|
Hard
|
6,639
|
| 2022
|
Fort Worth
|
United States
|
Dickies Arena
|
Hard (i)
|
14,000
|
| 2023
|
Cancún
|
Mexico
|
Estadio Paradisus
|
Hard
|
4,300
|
| 2024–26
|
Riyadh
|
Saudi Arabia
|
King Saud University Indoor Arena
|
Hard
|
|
Prize money and points
The total prize money for the 2024 WTA Finals is US$15,250,000, an increase of 69.44% compared to the 2023 edition.[18] The tables below break down the prize money, participation fees are prorated on a per match basis.
| Stage
|
Prize money
|
Points
|
| Singles
|
Doubles[a]
|
| Champion
|
RR[b] + $2,500,000
|
RR[b] + $520,000 |
RR + 900
|
| Runner-up
|
RR + $1,270,000
|
RR + $255,000 |
RR + 400
|
| Round robin win per match
|
+$350,000
|
+$70,000 |
200
|
| Participation Fee
|
$335,000
|
$140,000 |
—
|
| Alternates
|
$250,000
|
$106,000
|
—
|
- ^ Prize money for doubles is per team.
- ^ a b RR means prize money or points won in the round-robin round.
- An undefeated champion would earn the maximum 1,500 points and $3,885,000 in singles or $870,000 in doubles.
- Participation fees are prorated on a per match basis. Singles: 1 match = $225,000 2 matches = $275,000 and 3 matches = $335,000. Doubles: 1 match = $94,000 2 matches = $116,000 and 3 matches = $140,000.
- Alternate fees are also prorated on a per-match basis. Singles: 0 matches = $140,000, 1 match = $200,000, 2 matches = $250,000. Doubles: 0 matches= $60,000, 1 match = $84,000, 2 matches= $106,000
Since 2014, the singles and doubles winners of the tournament receive the Billie Jean King Trophy[19][20] and the Martina Navratilova trophy,[21][22] respectively.
List of finals
Singles
‡ From 1984 to 1998, the final match in singles was held in a best-of-five-sets format.
[9]
| Year
|
Champion
|
Runner-up
|
Score
|
| 1972
|
Chris Evert (1/4)
|
Kerry Melville
|
7–5, 6–4
|
| 1973
|
Chris Evert (2/4)
|
Nancy Richey Gunter
|
6–3, 6–3
|
| 1974
|
Evonne Goolagong (1/2)
|
Chris Evert
|
6–3, 6–4
|
| 1975
|
Chris Evert (3/4)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
6–4, 6–2
|
| 1976
|
Evonne Goolagong Cawley (2/2)
|
Chris Evert
|
6–3, 5–7, 6–3
|
| 1977
|
Chris Evert (4/4)
|
Sue Barker
|
2–6, 6–1, 6–1
|
| 1978
|
Martina Navratilova (1/8)
|
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
|
7–6(7–2), 6–4
|
| 1979
|
Martina Navratilova (2/8)
|
Tracy Austin
|
6–3, 3–6, 6–2
|
| 1980
|
Tracy Austin (1/1)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
6–2, 2–6, 6–2
|
| 1981
|
Martina Navratilova (3/8)
|
Andrea Jaeger
|
6–3, 7–6(7–3)
|
| 1982
|
Sylvia Hanika (1/1)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
1–6, 6–3, 6–4
|
| 1983
|
Martina Navratilova (4/8)
|
Chris Evert
|
6–2, 6–0
|
| 1984‡
|
Martina Navratilova (5/8)
|
Chris Evert
|
6–3, 7–5, 6–1
|
| 1985‡
|
Martina Navratilova (6/8)
|
Helena Suková
|
6–3, 7–5, 6–4
|
1986
(Mar.)‡
|
Martina Navratilova (7/8)
|
Hana Mandlíková
|
6–2, 6–0, 3–6, 6–1
|
1986
(Nov.)‡
|
Martina Navratilova (8/8)
|
Steffi Graf
|
7–6(8–6), 6–3, 6–2
|
| 1987‡
|
Steffi Graf (1/5)
|
Gabriela Sabatini
|
4–6, 6–4, 6–0, 6–4
|
| 1988‡
|
Gabriela Sabatini (1/2)
|
Pam Shriver
|
7–5, 6–2, 6–2
|
| 1989‡
|
Steffi Graf (2/5)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
6–4, 7–5, 2–6, 6–2
|
| 1990‡
|
Monica Seles (1/3)
|
Gabriela Sabatini
|
6–4, 5–7, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2
|
| 1991‡
|
Monica Seles (2/3)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
6–4, 3–6, 7–5, 6–0
|
| 1992‡
|
Monica Seles (3/3)
|
Martina Navratilova
|
7–5, 6–3, 6–1
|
| 1993‡
|
Steffi Graf (3/5)
|
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
|
6–1, 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
|
| 1994‡
|
Gabriela Sabatini (2/2)
|
Lindsay Davenport
|
6–3, 6–2, 6–4
|
| 1995‡
|
Steffi Graf (4/5)
|
Anke Huber
|
6–1, 2–6, 6–1, 4–6, 6–3
|
| 1996‡
|
Steffi Graf (5/5)
|
Martina Hingis
|
6–3, 4–6, 6–0, 4–6, 6–0
|
| 1997‡
|
Jana Novotná (1/1)
|
Mary Pierce
|
7–6(7–4), 6–2, 6–3
|
| 1998‡
|
Martina Hingis (1/2)
|
Lindsay Davenport
|
7–5, 6–4, 4–6, 6–2
|
| 1999
|
Lindsay Davenport (1/1)
|
Martina Hingis
|
6–4, 6–2
|
| 2000
|
Martina Hingis (2/2)
|
Monica Seles
|
6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–4
|
| 2001
|
Serena Williams (1/5)
|
Lindsay Davenport
|
walkover
|
| 2002
|
Kim Clijsters (1/3)
|
Serena Williams
|
7–5, 6–3
|
| 2003
|
Kim Clijsters (2/3)
|
Amélie Mauresmo
|
6–2, 6–0
|
| 2004
|
Maria Sharapova (1/1)
|
Serena Williams
|
4–6, 6–2, 6–4
|
| 2005
|
Amélie Mauresmo (1/1)
|
Mary Pierce
|
5–7, 7–6(7–3), 6–4
|
| 2006
|
Justine Henin (1/2)
|
Amélie Mauresmo
|
6–4, 6–3
|
| 2007
|
Justine Henin (2/2)
|
Maria Sharapova
|
5–7, 7–5, 6–3
|
| 2008
|
Venus Williams (1/1)
|
Vera Zvonareva
|
6–7(5–7), 6–0, 6–2
|
| 2009
|
Serena Williams (2/5)
|
Venus Williams
|
6–2, 7–6(7–4)
|
| 2010
|
Kim Clijsters (3/3)
|
Caroline Wozniacki
|
6–3, 5–7, 6–3
|
| 2011
|
Petra Kvitová (1/1)
|
Victoria Azarenka
|
7–5, 4–6, 6–3
|
| 2012
|
Serena Williams (3/5)
|
Maria Sharapova
|
6–4, 6–3
|
| 2013
|
Serena Williams (4/5)
|
Li Na
|
2–6, 6–3, 6–0
|
| 2014
|
Serena Williams (5/5)
|
Simona Halep
|
6–3, 6–0
|
| 2015
|
Agnieszka Radwańska (1/1)
|
Petra Kvitová
|
6–2, 4–6, 6–3
|
| 2016
|
Dominika Cibulková (1/1)
|
Angelique Kerber
|
6–3, 6–4
|
| 2017
|
Caroline Wozniacki (1/1)
|
Venus Williams
|
6–4, 6–4
|
| 2018
|
Elina Svitolina (1/1)
|
Sloane Stephens
|
3–6, 6–2, 6–2
|
| 2019
|
Ashleigh Barty (1/1)
|
Elina Svitolina
|
6–4, 6–3
|
| 2020
|
No competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic
|
| 2021
|
Garbiñe Muguruza (1/1)
|
Anett Kontaveit
|
6–3, 7–5
|
| 2022
|
Caroline Garcia (1/1)
|
Aryna Sabalenka [a]
|
7–6(7–4), 6–4
|
| 2023
|
Iga Świątek (1/1)
|
Jessica Pegula
|
6–1, 6–0
|
| 2024
|
Coco Gauff (1/1)
|
Zheng Qinwen
|
3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–2)
|
Doubles
| Year
|
Champions
|
Runners-up
|
Score
|
| 1972
|
No Doubles Played
|
| 1973
|
Rosemary Casals (1/2)
Margaret Court (1/2)
|
Françoise Dürr
Betty Stöve
|
6–2, 6–4
|
| 1974
|
Rosemary Casals (2/2)
Billie Jean King (1/4)
|
Françoise Dürr
Betty Stöve
|
6–1, 6–7(2–7), 7–5
|
| 1975
|
Margaret Court (2/2)
Virginia Wade (1/1)
|
Rosemary Casals
Billie Jean King
|
6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–2), 6–2
|
| 1976
|
Billie Jean King (2/4)
Betty Stöve (1/3)
|
Mona Guerrant
Ann Kiyomura
|
6–3, 6–2
|
| 1977
|
Martina Navratilova (1/13)
Betty Stöve (2/3)
|
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
|
7–5, 6–3
|
| 1978
|
Billie Jean King (3/4)
Martina Navratilova (2/13)
|
Françoise Dürr
Virginia Wade
|
6–4, 6–4
|
| 1979
|
Françoise Dürr (1/1)
Betty Stöve (3/3)
|
Sue Barker
Ann Kiyomura
|
7–6(7–1), 7–6(7–3)
|
| 1980
|
Billie Jean King (4/4)
Martina Navratilova (3/13)
|
Rosemary Casals
Wendy Turnbull
|
6–3, 4–6, 6–3
|
| 1981
|
Martina Navratilova (4/13)
Pam Shriver (1/10)
|
Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh
|
6–0, 7–6(8–6)
|
| 1982
|
Martina Navratilova (5/13)
Pam Shriver (2/10)
|
Kathy Jordan
Anne Smith
|
6–4, 6–3
|
| 1983
|
Martina Navratilova (6/13)
Pam Shriver (3/10)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Eva Pfaff
|
7–5, 6–2
|
| 1984
|
Martina Navratilova (7/13)
Pam Shriver (4/10)
|
Jo Durie
Ann Kiyomura
|
6–3, 6–1
|
| 1985
|
Martina Navratilova (8/13)
Pam Shriver (5/10)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková
|
6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–5)
|
1986
(Mar.)
|
Hana Mandlíková (1/1)
Wendy Turnbull (1/1)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková
|
6–4, 6–7(4–7), 6–3
|
1986
(Nov.)
|
Martina Navratilova (9/13)
Pam Shriver (6/10)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková
|
7–6(7–1), 6–3
|
| 1987
|
Martina Navratilova (10/13)
Pam Shriver (7/10)
|
Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Helena Suková
|
6–1, 6–1
|
| 1988
|
Martina Navratilova (11/13)
Pam Shriver (8/10)
|
Larisa Savchenko
Natalia Zvereva
|
6–3, 6–4
|
| 1989
|
Martina Navratilova (12/13)
Pam Shriver (9/10)
|
Larisa Savchenko
Natalia Zvereva
|
6–3, 6–2
|
| 1990
|
Kathy Jordan (1/1)
Elizabeth Smylie (1/1)
|
Mercedes Paz
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
|
7–6(7–4), 6–4
|
| 1991
|
Martina Navratilova (13/13)
Pam Shriver (10/10)
|
Gigi Fernández
Jana Novotná
|
4–6, 7–5, 6–4
|
| 1992
|
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (1/2)
Helena Suková (1/1)
|
Jana Novotná
Larisa Savchenko Neiland
|
7–6(7–4), 6–1
|
| 1993
|
Gigi Fernández (1/2)
Natalia Zvereva (1/3)
|
Jana Novotná
Larisa Neiland
|
6–3, 7–5
|
| 1994
|
Gigi Fernández (2/2)
Natasha Zvereva (2/3)
|
Jana Novotná
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
|
6–3, 6–7(4–7), 6–3
|
| 1995
|
Jana Novotná (1/2)
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (2/2)
|
Gigi Fernández
Natasha Zvereva
|
6–2, 6–1
|
| 1996
|
Lindsay Davenport (1/3)
Mary Joe Fernández (1/1)
|
Jana Novotná
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
|
6–3, 6–2
|
| 1997
|
Lindsay Davenport (2/3)
Jana Novotná (2/2)
|
Alexandra Fusai
Nathalie Tauziat
|
6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–2
|
| 1998
|
Lindsay Davenport (3/3)
Natasha Zvereva (3/3)
|
Alexandra Fusai
Nathalie Tauziat
|
6–7(6–8), 7–5, 6–3
|
| 1999
|
Martina Hingis (1/3)
Anna Kournikova (1/2)
|
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Larisa Neiland
|
6–4, 6–4
|
| 2000
|
Martina Hingis (2/3)
Anna Kournikova (2/2)
|
Nicole Arendt
Manon Bollegraf
|
6–2, 6–3
|
| 2001
|
Lisa Raymond (1/4)
Rennae Stubbs (1/1)
|
Cara Black
Elena Likhovtseva
|
7–5, 3–6, 6–3
|
| 2002
|
Elena Dementieva (1/1)
Janette Husárová (1/1)
|
Cara Black
Elena Likhovtseva
|
4–6, 6–4, 6–3
|
| 2003
|
Virginia Ruano Pascual (1/1)
Paola Suárez (1/1)
|
Kim Clijsters
Ai Sugiyama
|
6–4, 3–6, 6–3
|
| 2004
|
Nadia Petrova (1/2)
Meghann Shaughnessy (1/1)
|
Cara Black
Rennae Stubbs
|
7–5, 6–2
|
| 2005
|
Lisa Raymond (2/4)
Samantha Stosur (1/2)
|
Cara Black
Rennae Stubbs
|
6–7(5–7), 7–5, 6–4
|
| 2006
|
Lisa Raymond (3/4)
Samantha Stosur (2/2)
|
Cara Black
Rennae Stubbs
|
3–6, 6–3, 6–3
|
| 2007
|
Cara Black (1/3)
Liezel Huber (1/3)
|
Katarina Srebotnik
Ai Sugiyama
|
5–7, 6–3, [10–8]
|
| 2008
|
Cara Black (2/3)
Liezel Huber (2/3)
|
Květa Peschke
Rennae Stubbs
|
6–1, 7–5
|
| 2009
|
Nuria Llagostera Vives (1/1)
María José Martínez Sánchez (1/1)
|
Cara Black
Liezel Huber
|
7–6(7–0), 5–7, [10–7]
|
| 2010
|
Gisela Dulko (1/1)
Flavia Pennetta (1/1)
|
Květa Peschke
Katarina Srebotnik
|
7–5, 6–4
|
| 2011
|
Liezel Huber (3/3)
Lisa Raymond (4/4)
|
Květa Peschke
Katarina Srebotnik
|
6–4, 6–4
|
| 2012
|
Maria Kirilenko (1/1)
Nadia Petrova (2/2)
|
Andrea Hlaváčková
Lucie Hradecká
|
6–1, 6–4
|
| 2013
|
Hsieh Su-wei (1/1)
Peng Shuai (1/1)
|
Ekaterina Makarova
Elena Vesnina
|
6–4, 7–5
|
| 2014
|
Cara Black (3/3)
Sania Mirza (1/2)
|
Hsieh Su-wei
Peng Shuai
|
6–1, 6–0
|
| 2015
|
Martina Hingis (3/3)
Sania Mirza (2/2)
|
Garbiñe Muguruza
Carla Suárez Navarro
|
6–0, 6–3
|
| 2016
|
Ekaterina Makarova (1/1)
Elena Vesnina (1/1)
|
Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Lucie Šafářová
|
7–6(7–5), 6–3
|
| 2017
|
Tímea Babos (1/3)
Andrea Hlaváčková (1/1)
|
Kiki Bertens
Johanna Larsson
|
4–6, 6–4, [10–5]
|
| 2018
|
Tímea Babos (2/3)
Kristina Mladenovic (1/2)
|
Barbora Krejčíková
Kateřina Siniaková
|
6–4, 7–5
|
| 2019
|
Tímea Babos (3/3)
Kristina Mladenovic (2/2)
|
Hsieh Su-wei
Barbora Strýcová
|
6–1, 6–3
|
| 2020
|
No competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic
|
| 2021
|
Barbora Krejčíková (1/1)
Kateřina Siniaková (1/1)
|
Hsieh Su-wei
Elise Mertens
|
6–3, 6–4
|
| 2022
|
Veronika Kudermetova [b] (1/1)
Elise Mertens (1/1)
|
Barbora Krejčíková
Kateřina Siniaková
|
6–2, 4–6, [11–9]
|
| 2023
|
Laura Siegemund (1/1)
Vera Zvonareva [b] (1/1)
|
Nicole Melichar-Martinez
Ellen Perez
|
6–4, 6–4
|
| 2024
|
Gabriela Dabrowski (1/1)
Erin Routliffe (1/1)
|
Kateřina Siniaková
Taylor Townsend
|
7–5, 6–3
|
- ^ On 1 March 2022, the WTA announced that players from Belarus will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Belarus following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Aryna Sabalenka thus competed as neutral player since then.[23]
- ^ a b On 1 March 2022, the WTA announced that players from Russia will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Russia following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Veronika Kudermetova and Vera Zvonareva thus competed as neutral players since then and their first and only titles are not attributed to Russia in the "Titles by country" list.[24]
List of champions
Singles
| Titles |
Player |
Years
|
| 8
|
Martina Navratilova |
1978–79, 81, 83–86(Nov.)[a][b]
|
| 5
|
Steffi Graf |
1987, 89, 93, 95–96
|
| Serena Williams |
2001, 09, 12–14
|
| 4
|
Chris Evert |
1972–73, 75, 77
|
| 3
|
/ Monica Seles |
1990–92
|
| Kim Clijsters |
2002–03, 10
|
| 2
|
Evonne Goolagong Cawley |
1974, 76
|
| Gabriela Sabatini |
1988, 94
|
| Martina Hingis |
1998, 2000
|
| Justine Henin |
2006–07
|
| 1
|
Tracy Austin
|
1980
|
| Sylvia Hanika
|
1982
|
| Jana Novotná
|
1997
|
| Lindsay Davenport
|
1999
|
| Maria Sharapova
|
2004
|
| Amélie Mauresmo
|
2005
|
| Venus Williams
|
2008
|
| Petra Kvitová
|
2011
|
| Agnieszka Radwańska
|
2015
|
| Dominika Cibulková
|
2016
|
| Caroline Wozniacki
|
2017
|
| Elina Svitolina
|
2018
|
| Ashleigh Barty
|
2019
|
| Garbiñe Muguruza
|
2021
|
| Caroline Garcia
|
2022
|
| Iga Świątek
|
2023
|
| Coco Gauff
|
2024
|
|
Doubles
| Titles |
Player |
Years
|
| 13
|
Martina Navratilova |
1977–78, 80–86(Nov.),[b] 87–89, 91
|
| 10
|
Pam Shriver |
1981–86(Nov.),[b] 87–89, 91
|
| 4
|
Billie Jean King |
1974, 76, 78, 80
|
| Lisa Raymond |
2001, 05–06, 11
|
| 3
|
Betty Stöve |
1976–77, 79
|
| / Natasha Zvereva |
1993–94, 98
|
| Lindsay Davenport |
1996–98
|
| Liezel Huber |
2007–08, 11
|
| Cara Black |
2007–08, 14
|
| Martina Hingis |
1999–00, 2015
|
| Tímea Babos |
2017–19
|
| 2
|
Rosemary Casals
|
1973–74
|
| Margaret Court
|
1973, 75
|
| Gigi Fernández
|
1993–94
|
| Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
|
1992, 95
|
| Jana Novotná
|
1995, 97
|
| Anna Kournikova
|
1999–00
|
| Samantha Stosur
|
2005–06
|
| Nadia Petrova
|
2004, 12
|
| Sania Mirza
|
2014–15
|
| Kristina Mladenovic
|
2018–19
|
| 1
|
Virginia Wade
|
1975
|
| Françoise Dürr
|
1979
|
|
|
1986(Mar.)[a]
|
|
|
1990
|
| Helena Suková
|
1992
|
| Mary Joe Fernández
|
1996
|
| Rennae Stubbs
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
| Meghann Shaughnessy
|
2004
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
| Maria Kirilenko
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2016
|
| Andrea Hlaváčková
|
2017
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
2023
|
|
|
2024
|
|
- ^ a b In 1986 the WTA adopted a January–November playing season, thereby the event switched to being held at the end of each year. Consequently, there were two championships held in 1986. First edition was played in March.[26]
- ^ a b c Second edition was played in November.
- ^ a b On 1 March 2022, the WTA announced that players from Russia will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Russia following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Veronika Kudermetova and Vera Zvonareva thus competed as neutral players since then and their first and only titles are not attributed to Russia in the "Titles by country" list.[25]
Records and statistics
Note: Active players indicated in bold.
Singles
|
|
|
| # |
Matches won
|
| 60 |
/ Martina Navratilova
|
| 34 |
Chris Evert
|
| 31 |
Steffi Graf
|
| 29 |
Serena Williams
|
| 21 |
Gabriela Sabatini
|
|
|
Youngest & oldest champions
- ^ On 1 March 2022, the WTA announced that players from Russia will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Russia following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Veronika Kudermetova and Vera Zvonareva thus competed as neutral players since then and their first and only titles are not attributed to Russia in the "Titles by country" list.[28]
Longest and shortest matches
Singles
- Best-of-five-sets system:
- Best-of-three-sets system:
Doubles
Year-end championships double & triple
Winning three or two out of the four Year-ending championships since its inception in 1972: WTA Championships/Finals, Series-Ending Championships, Grand Slam Cup, WTA Tournament of Champions/Elite Trophy indicated in bold.
Double crown
Winning the Year-end championships in both singles and doubles in the same year.
- ^ In 1986 the event was held twice because of a change of schedule by the WTA. First edition was played in March, the second in November. Navratilova would go on to win the second edition in both singles and doubles that year.[26]
Year-end championships triple
WTA Championships – Series-Ending Championships Double
WTA Championships – Grand Slam Cup Double
- ^ she later completed a YEC Triple.
WTA Championships – WTA Elite Trophy Double
- ^ with the 2015 WTA Elite Trophy she also completed a YEC Triple.
Grand Slam Cup – WTA Elite Trophy Double
- ^ with the 2015 WTA Elite Trophy she also completed a YEC Triple.
Titles by country
Singles
Doubles
Note: Titles, won by a team of players from same country, count as one title, not two.
- Note
- ^ On 1 March 2022, the WTA announced that players from Russia will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of Russia following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Veronika Kudermetova and Vera Zvonareva thus competed as neutral players since then and their first and only titles are not attributed to Russia in the "Titles by country" list.[32]
The event has a more than 40-year history of corporate sponsorship with the finals named after the sponsoring company.[4]
| Years |
Sponsor |
Name |
Refs
|
| 1972–1978 |
Virginia Slims |
Virginia Slims Championships |
|
| 1979–1982 |
Avon |
Avon Championships |
|
| 1983–1994 |
Virginia Slims |
Virginia Slims Championships |
|
| 1995 |
None |
WTA Tour Championships |
|
| 1996–2000 |
Chase |
Chase Championships |
|
| 2001 |
Sanex |
Sanex Championships |
|
| 2002 |
The Home Depot |
Home Depot Championships |
|
| 2003 |
Bank of America |
Bank of America WTA Tour Championships |
|
| 2004 |
None |
WTA Tour Championships |
|
| 2005–2010 |
Sony Ericsson |
Sony Ericsson Championships |
|
| 2011–2013 |
BNP Paribas and Türk Ekonomi Bankası |
TEB–BNP Paribas WTA Championships Istanbul |
|
| 2014–2018 |
BNP Paribas and SC Global |
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global |
[33]
|
| 2019 |
Shiseido |
Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen |
[34]
|
| 2021 |
Akron |
Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara |
[35]
|
| 2022 |
Hologic |
Hologic WTA Finals Fort Worth |
[36]
|
| 2023 |
GNP Seguros |
GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun |
[37]
|
See also
References
- ^ "WTA Tour 2021 Media Guide" (PDF). WTA Tour. p. 20. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to host WTA Finals with record prize money for the next three years". Fox News. 4 April 2024.
- ^ "WTA re-launches year-end Championships as WTA Finals" (PDF). www.wtatennis.com. May 27, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup" (PDF). WTA Tour. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2014.
- ^ "2011 Calendar Announced". WTA Tour. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
- ^ "WTA narrows 2014 Championships host field to three finalists" (PDF). www.wtatennis.com. WTA. 29 January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Three cities still in running to host WTA Championships". www.wtatennis.com. WTA.
- ^ "WTA picks Singapore to host its tennis Championships from 2014". BBC News. 8 May 2013.
- ^ a b c "2021 SHISEIDO WTA FINALS SHENZHEN". www.shiseidowtafinalsshenzhen.com. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Shenzhen, China to host WTA Finals starting in 2019". Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- ^ "2021 WTA Finals moved from Shenzhen to Guadalajara". Reuters. 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- ^ "Where, Oh Where, Are the WTA Finals?". The New York Times.
- ^ @WTA (April 4, 2024). "Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the next three editions of the WTA Finals from 2024-2026. The 2024 season-ending Finals will take place November 2-9, featuring the top 8 singles players and doubles teams in the Race to the #WTAFinals" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "40 Love History: Five Set Finals". Women's Tennis Association (WTA). 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "It's the Way It's (Almost) Always Been". New York Times. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "WTA confirms 2024 calendar with increase in prize money for players". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "WTA Race Singles Ranking Page". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "WTA Finals Prize Money 2024". Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "BILLIE JEAN KING NAMED OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF WTA FINALS IN SINGAPORE". AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Makers of Billie Jean King Trophy | WTA Finals | Tennis | Thomas Lyte - Thomas Lyte". www.thomaslyte.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ Merrell, Chloe (7 November 2021). "WTA Tour Finals 2021 preview: everything you need to know". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Evert, Navratilova to serve as WTA Finals legend ambassadors". Women's Tennis Association. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis". WTA Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis". WTA Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis". WTA Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ a b "About WTA Finals". Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11.
- ^ "WTA Finals 2021: By the Numbers - Tennis Now". www.tennisnow.com. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis". WTA Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "November 18, 1990: Seles and Sabatini go five". www.tennismajors.com. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
- ^ "Return Winners: A look back at the 1990 WTA Finals". www.tennis.com. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
- ^ a b "Venus outlasts Ostapenko in marathon Singapore epic". www.wtatennis.com. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis". WTA Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Tennis-BNP Paribas extends WTA Championship sponsorship". Reuters. Singapore. 11 March 2014. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Shiseido signs on as title sponsor of WTA Finals Shenzhen". wtatennis.com. Shenzhen. 23 July 2019.
- ^ "WTA Finals: Making Guadalajara Before the World". smallcapnews.co.uk. Guadalajara. 21 September 2021.
- ^ "Hologic partners with WTA Tour in landmark title sponsorship". wtatennis.com. Fort Worth. 3 March 2022.
- ^ "GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023". boletomovil.com. Cancun. 15 October 2023.
External links