The WTA Finals 2024 is currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the atmosphere at the event is not as expected. On the second day of competition, the match between Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova saw many empty seats in the King Saud Sports Hall. With a capacity of 3,000, only about 400 spectators attended to watch Swiatek, one of the best female players in recent years.
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Few Spectators, Silent Atmosphere
Despite the participation of top-ranked female players, the lack of audience attendance has left the competitors feeling disappointed. Tim Henman, a former British number one and current commentator at the WTA Finals, noted: “Both Swiatek and Krejcikova are extremely frustrated with the quiet atmosphere in the arena.”
The opening day of the event also saw only about 75% of the seats filled. This situation has raised questions about the viability of hosting major events in Saudi Arabia in the future.
Henman stated that female players are debating whether to continue holding large events in Saudi Arabia. “Today, the best players in the world, like Swiatek and Coco Gauff, are playing, but no one seems to care.”
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Possible Solutions
Henman suggested that the organizers move the event to community courts, closer to schools, to allow more general spectators to attend the final major event of the year. “From what I’ve seen, the organizers here don’t seem to need ticket sales. They probably should come up with a better solution,” Henman remarked.
Swiatek expressed her desire for more spectators but did not have high expectations. She stated, “Maybe when we play the final matches, there will be more people.” Krejcikova, on the other hand, politely acknowledged the sparse crowd but mentioned that she still felt their enthusiasm after each rally.
Opportunities and Challenges from the WTA Finals
The WTA Finals feature the top eight players of the year. Saudi Arabia has signed a contract to host the WTA Finals for three years, starting in 2024, with a record prize pool of $15.25 million for this year’s event, where the champion will receive at least $4.25 million. This event marks a significant step forward in developing women’s tennis in Saudi Arabia.
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Last year, Saudi Arabia also reached an agreement with the ATP to host the ATP Finals Next Gen. They have ambitions to host a Masters 1000 event or ATP Finals in the near future.
Current Player Situation at WTA Finals
In this year’s WTA Finals, Elena Rybakina was the first player eliminated from the group stage after losing her second match to Zheng Qinwen 6-7, 6-3, 1-6 on November 4th. Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka has won both of her matches, defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 7-5, becoming the first player to secure a spot in the semifinals.
In the other group, Swiatek and Gauff also had successful starts by winning their opening matches against Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula, respectively.
Conclusion: The Future of Women’s Tennis in Saudi Arabia
Although the WTA Finals 2024 has seen sparse attendance, the event remains an important milestone for women’s tennis, marking its growth and expansion in Saudi Arabia. With calls for improved audience engagement from players and experts, there is hope that future events will attract more fans and create a more vibrant atmosphere for women’s tennis.
