All eyes on Riyadh: WTA Finals players step out ahead of season’s biggest stage
Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova attend the official ceremony, while defending champion Iga Swiatek explores the city and joins a Special Olympics clinic.
It’s the calm before the storm in Riyadh.
The WTA Finals kick off on Saturday, November 1, but the world’s top players have already been busy in Saudi Arabia all week—from the glittering draw ceremony to sightseeing and promotional events.
Top Americans Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova were among those stepping out for the official draw, joining reigning doubles champions Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe at a gala held at CORE Social Wellness Club on Tuesday.
👉 Read More: Where to watch the WTA and ATP Finals, and daily schedules from Riyadh and Turin
Former world No. 1 and past WTA Finals champion Garbiñe Muguruza, now serving as the tournament director, helped unveil the groups—named after women’s tennis icons Stefanie Graf and Serena Williams in singles, and Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber in doubles.
In singles, top seed Aryna Sabalenka headlines the Stefanie Graf Group alongside Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini.
In the Serena Williams Group, defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek leads the field with Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, and Madison Keys rounding out the lineup.
👉 Read More: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek headline 2025 WTA Finals Round Robin draw
In doubles, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini top the Martina Navratilova Group, which also features Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens, Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko, and Asia Muhammad with Demi Schuurs.
The Liezel Huber Group includes Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, and Timea Babos with Luisa Stefani.
Players will compete in a round robin stage with the top two performers from each group moving on to the semifinals—vying for the Billie Jean King Trophy in singles and the Martina Navratilova Doubles Trophy in doubles.
👉 Read More: How the WTA Finals field kept bouncing back this year
Before hitting the courts at King Saud University Indoor Arena, players also explored the city and took part in promotional activities.
Swiatek, the 2023 WTA Finals champion, shared photos from a sightseeing day in historic Riyadh captioned: “Day off vibes. Team, spectacular views, and taking photos of pigeons.”
Later, Swiatek returned to the court for a Special Olympics clinic—joined by Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, and doubles duo Dabrowski and Routliffe.
The 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh officially begin Saturday, November 1, with action from the Serena Williams Group—headlined by Iga Swiatek. (Here’s how to watch all the action.)