The Finals are where styles and stories meet in one arena and remind us why women’s tennis is so captivating. As Riyadh opens its doors starting November 1st to 8th and the draw ceremony sets the first night’s agenda, the contenders arrive with different strengths and the same goal. A season that gave us new champions and fresh rivalries now gets its grand finale.The format of the final tournament is different. Eight top players are split into two groups, with the top two of each group playing in the semifinals, and consequently the finals. All players come here to confirm or establish their reign as the next big tennis star, and the stakes are high as the whole world is watching who is going to dominate the next season. Winning in Riyadh can revive careers, while a strong debut can put the player on the map for every big competition in the future. For the sport itself, this tournament is the display of what women's tennis is all about speed, strength, stamina and powerful focus at all times.
Besides the title, it’s also a matter of prestige among players who are looking to grab extra points at the end of the year, as well as earn the claim to fame.
Eight players will be fighting for the Finals title in a round robin phase. These players have all had strong seasons and accumulated enough points in the “Race to Riyadh” to secure their place. This year we have Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, and Elena Rybakina.
The current best player and the absolute favorite is coming to Riyadh in full force as the first player to secure her place in the tournament. WTA Final predictions are all anticipating Sabalenka to finish the year with the Finals trophy. The whole season, she has been dominant in almost every major competition, from WTA500 to Grand Slams, including the Miami Open, Madrid Open and the US Open title when she beat Anisimova in straight sets. Even after losing, Sabalenka showed that she could go deep into the competition. Also, because she has won on hard courts and is performing at the highest level, she appears well rounded enough to tackle the Finals and possibly win the title.
Swiatek had a year to remember by winning her first Grand Slam, Wimbledon 2025. Even though she took the trophy on grass, 6-0, 6-0, Swiatek proved that she is equally dangerous on hard courts when she won the title at the Cincinnati Open by defeating Jasmine Paolini. Swiatek showed flexibility and confidence on any court this year, so she is coming to the Finals boosting with self esteem and the desire to prove that she is the next best player in the world. That matters for the WTA Finals format, where adaptability, momentum and experience help. Swiatek is one of the favorites at sportsbooks and among casual spectators, being that she is also famous for her mental power which has saved her matches several times this season. Handling pressure and playing in stressful conditions is Swiatek’s strong suit which could play in her favor in Riyadh.
Gauff is the defending champion of this tournament, so many will look at her as the biggest favorite. The American is only 21 years old but is already making a splash on the world stage by winning Roland Garros and now playing in the Finals. The reason why fans and experts see Gauff as one of the major contenders for the title is because she has an impeccable game on hard courts, immense speed, flexibility and confidence. That gives her an edge.
Amanda Anisimova’s 2025 season has been nothing short of a breakthrough, marked by bold comebacks, and her first titles in career. In 2023, Anisimova had a burnout when it came to playing sports, and took some time off to address her mental health issues and redefine her desire to be one of the top players on tour. This break sparked new fire in Amanda, and she came back swinging capturing her first Qatar Open 2025, launching her back to the top 20 players. Her momentum carried into the Grand Slams. At Wimbledon this year she shocked everyone by beating the world’s number one to reach her first Grand Slam final. However, Swiatek was stronger, and Anisimova lost without winning a single set. Many blamed the nerves and confidence for the devastating loss, claiming that this talented player is just beginning to shine on the world stage. At the US Open, it was payback time. Anisimova beat Swiatek in the quarter finals to reach her second Grand Slam final.
Pegula is entering the competition as an underdog since her results didn’t always make the headlines. Still, she made it to the final competition which only means that she can play against the best players in the world with a real chance for the win. Pegula is one of the quiet players who is building her game slowly but with great confidence. This year, many are giving her the chance to go far in the Finals, but few are hopeful about Pegula finishing the season as the champion. Still, she sailed through to the Finals as one of the top eight players, meaning that her talents are yet to be seen.
Rybakina qualified for the third straight year. She is the former Wimbledon champion and is known for her big serve and power game. When she’s on, she can steamroll opponents. Yet in 2025 her major event consistency has been less than ideal where she usually finished the competitions in the early rounds. Even with the inconsistent game, Rybakina still ended up in the Finals without much chance for the win, but with a real opportunity to reverse the public opinion on her fitness and determination to stay in the top eight players.
Keys stunned everyone when she won the Australian Open this year, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with. Even though she is not the favorite in Riyadh, Keys proved that she is capable of shaking up the opponents and making a stir in the standings. This is something fans live for.
Paolini was never a favorite, and she is already out of the competition with two lost matches. However, just being at the final tournament of the year means that we can expect surprises from her next year.
Since this is a round robin leading into the semis and then the final, every early match matters. A stumble in the group could mean elimination even for a favorite. So one thing to watch is: which player hits form early? Who starts slow and recovers?
The elite eight have been grouped into the two round robin pools: the “Stefanie Graf” Group, featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Jasmine Paolini; and the “Serena Williams” Group, featuring Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys.
Aryna Sabalenka remains unbeaten. She has a perfect score so far from winning two matches, the latest being against Pegula which she won in three sets. This is a great sign for the number one seed, and the favorite in the Finals. Still, there are more matches to be played, and upsets are a realistic danger for the champion.
Others in the group had mixed results. Coco Gauff beat Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to keep her hopes alive, proving that she will put up a great fight for second place in the group and an advancement to the next stage. While she is struggling to stay in the competition, Paolini has lost two matches and is unlikely to go further this year. Even though she played well, it seems to not be enough for the Finals where top players come to finish the season with a bang. So, for this group, it’s probably going to be Sabalenka first and Gauff second.
The “Serena Williams Group” has had some upsets with Rybakina beating No. 2 in the world, Swiatek, in three sets. She also beat Anisimova and is currently the top player in the group. Rybakina’s game is at a high level, and if she carries this momentum forward she may be more dangerous than many anticipated, but Swiatek is not out just yet if she doesn’t have any further drops in play.
The conditions of the WTA Finals in Riyadh play a much bigger role than most fans might think. The event is staged indoors on a hard court, which is a completely different environment from the open air tournaments that dominate much of the season. Without changing weather conditions like wind and temperature, the ball travels fast and steady. These conditions are especially convenient for big strikers with powerful serves, who hit the ball hard and early like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Players who prefer long rallies, and enjoy wearing down their opponents might find the indoor courts very challenging. The ball bounce is predictable, and finishing points in a few strikes is crucial for winning a set.
Paolini and Swiatek are two players who are not flourishing on indoor courts. Both like to play long points, to switch their strategies and try out different strokes. Their serve is not the most powerful on the tour either, which puts them in the underdog category for this title, even though Swiatek is currently sitting as the second best player. On the other hand, Sabalenka’s booming serve, Gauff’s powerful forehand, and Rybakina’s flat hitting all fit perfectly into this kind of setting. These players can control the rhythm of play rather than react to it.
But the surface alone doesn’t decide everything. Stamina and mental preparedness are two main components of every champion. Hitting winners is going to help, but there are other factors that can decide the result over the next few days, like the ability to recover. Players who have a hard time going back into the game quickly are going to suffer through the tournament since matches require quick feet and mind. Players who can manage their energy while keeping calm under pressure will have the upper hand when the competition tightens. The round robin format means that not every loss will kick the player out, but it can shake up their confidence and affect the quality of play. A mentally strong player bounces back the next day and is ready for the next fight.
Pegula and Swiatek’s style fit into this type of play. Swiatek is particularly known for her stellar discipline and strong mental focus that can make it seem like she is playing every new point, like it’s the first one in the match. This is a quality that every great champion possesses.
Anisimova and Keys are highly emotional players. They thrive on good momentum in the game and can ride that wave all the way to the finals. However, if their game drops for any reason, both of them have a difficult time jumping back into the rhythm which, in this tournament, is a major drawback.
The WTA tour is unpredictable, which should be taken into account. Upsets are common because we don’t have the dominant force in women’s tennis like we used to with Serena Williams, Justine Henin, or Steffi Graf. The differences between players today are sometimes unnoticeable which makes each one a possible champion. In Riyadh, we can see dark horses going to the next stage leaving the current top three in the dust, or to put it simply, we can’t count anyone out just yet. A player like Paolini, with nothing to lose, might play freely and swing big, catching an opponent off guard. Anisimova is also inconsistent, so if she finds her momentum, the final result might surprise us all.
Whatever the outcome, the 2025 WTA Finals promises to be a thrilling week of tennis. For the players, it takes form, strategy, and mental stamina to win. For us watching, it takes attention to every match, because in a week like this, anything can happen.