Garbine Muguruza, former world number one and current tournament director for the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh, is making waves in the tennis world, both for her unique insights and her behind-the-scenes role in organizing one of the sport’s most prestigious events. With the tournament set to culminate a long and grueling season, Muguruza is keeping a close eye on some of the star players who will take center stage, most notably Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who are poised for a thrilling showdown. Sabalenka recently ascended to the world number one spot, dethroning Swiatek after her lengthy reign, and both players will enter the WTA Finals with high stakes and even higher expectations.
The WTA Finals in Riyadh represents a milestone moment in tennis, marking the first time that Saudi Arabia hosts a major women’s tournament of this caliber. As tournament director, Muguruza is excited to help elevate the event and to give the WTA Finals a grand conclusion to the 2024 season. She’s been vocal about the importance of fostering an electrifying atmosphere and creating a memorable experience for players and fans alike, particularly given the challenges of a long season. For Muguruza, who won the WTA Finals herself in 2021, this year’s event holds a special significance, both professionally and personally.
Coco Vandeweghe, another prominent voice in women’s tennis, recently criticized the demanding WTA schedule, which has seen players competing at an intense pace throughout the year. The season culminates in Riyadh, where the tour’s top players will face off, often pushing through fatigue and physical toll. Vandeweghe’s comments highlight a growing debate around player workload and rest periods, and while she did not single out the WTA Finals specifically, her remarks underscore the pressure players face, especially those like Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Coco Gauff, who are expected to perform at their peak after a demanding year.
Discussing Sabalenka’s recent rise to number one and what it means heading into the WTA Finals, Muguruza praised her resilience and acknowledged the increased pressure that comes with holding the top spot. “It’s the ultimate tournament, the last of the year, where you play for everything,” Muguruza said in an interview on the WTA website. “It will be very interesting this year with [No.1] Aryna Sabalenka. It’s going to be interesting how she handles all this pressure.” Sabalenka’s performance this season has solidified her as a formidable force on the court, but Muguruza hinted that the added pressure could impact her in Riyadh, where she’ll compete not only for the title but also to prove her worth as the world’s top player.
Beyond the WTA Finals, Saudi Arabia has been actively working to raise its profile within the tennis world, recently hosting the Six Kings Slam, a high-stakes exhibition event that drew some of the biggest names in men’s tennis, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz. The event concluded with Sinner claiming victory and taking home a record-breaking $6 million, the largest prize awarded in tennis history for an exhibition event. The Italian, who recently reached the world number one ranking himself, played down the significance of the massive payday, stating that he didn’t compete for the money but for the challenge of facing the best players. “It’s a nice prize and everything, but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world,” Sinner commented, underscoring his focus on competition over financial reward.
With Riyadh preparing for another prestigious event in the form of the WTA Finals, Muguruza has taken lessons from the success of the Six Kings Slam to bring an elevated experience to the women’s tournament. In her role as director, she aims to capture the same excitement and grandeur, while emphasizing the official nature of the WTA event compared to the exhibition status of the Six Kings Slam. “It shows there’s a lot of interest in tennis in the Kingdom,” Muguruza said. “It was an exhibition, but ours is an official tournament. I’m really looking forward to it. We want to make it great so when they come back next year, they’ll be really excited.”
The tournament promises to be a showcase of the highest level of women’s tennis, with top players like Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, and Jessica Pegula all expected to compete. Muguruza’s involvement has added another layer of anticipation, with her experience as a top player giving her unique insights into what it takes to organize a tournament that prioritizes both player needs and fan experience. Muguruza’s familiarity with the WTA Finals, from a player’s perspective, provides her with the awareness needed to create an environment that emphasizes competition, comfort, and excitement.
In a season filled with major tournaments, significant player developments, and shifting rankings, the WTA Finals in Riyadh will be the grand finale, offering fans a chance to witness the sport’s best talents as they compete for one of the year’s most coveted titles. The stakes are high, not only for Sabalenka, who will play to cement her number one ranking, but also for Swiatek, Gauff, and the other contenders who have delivered stellar performances throughout the year.
With Muguruza at the helm, the WTA Finals in Riyadh are shaping up to be a landmark event, one that reflects the growing global interest in women’s tennis and the expanding influence of regions like Saudi Arabia in the sports world. Fans, players, and organizers alike are hopeful that this tournament will set a new standard, offering a thrilling close to an unforgettable season.