WTA Tour Finals 2025: Świątek and Rybakina Shine on Day 1

The 2025 WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is shaping up to be a wild ride. Some of the most talented players in women’s tennis are already delivering dramatic matches and unexpected twists.

This year, the stakes feel higher than ever, with $15.5 million in prize money on the line. The competition’s fierce, and it seems like no one wants to back down.

Let’s break down the key highlights, standout performances, and what it means to bring the event to Saudi Arabia.

Key Highlights of the 2025 WTA Tour Finals

Elena Rybakina grabbed headlines as the first player to qualify for the semifinals. She pulled off a gutsy comeback against Iga Świątek, who had taken the first set 6-3.

But Rybakina found her groove, storming through 12 of the next 13 games to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. That win locked her into the semifinals and showed off her resilience.

Group Stage Drama

Amanda Anisimova made her own statement, beating an under-the-weather Madison Keys in three sets. Now, Anisimova faces Świątek in a high-stakes qualifier on Wednesday.

In another group, Jessica Pegula edged out fellow American Coco Gauff in a tough three-setter. Pegula’s 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 victory means Gauff needs two wins—and maybe a little luck—to reach the semifinals.

Gauff struggled with 17 double faults and 45 unforced forehand errors as she continues to tinker with her game. Right before that, Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Jasmine Paolini, firing 11 aces in a 6-3, 6-1 win.

Player Performances and Group Standings

The group-stage draw kept Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, the world’s top two, apart. The other six players split into two groups:

Steffi Graf Group

• Aryna Sabalenka
• Coco Gauff
• Jessica Pegula
• Jasmine Paolini

Serena Williams Group

• Iga Świątek
• Amanda Anisimova
• Elena Rybakina
• Madison Keys

Each player gets three round-robin matches. The top two from each group move to the semifinals, then the winners clash in the final.

Head-to-Head Records

Their head-to-head stats add some extra flavor. Here are a few notable ones:

• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Iga Świątek: 5-8
• Coco Gauff vs. Jessica Pegula: 4-3
• Elena Rybakina vs. Madison Keys: 3-3

It’s clear these matchups could go either way.

Grand Slam Successes in 2025

This season, four different players captured Grand Slam singles titles:

• Madison Keys: Australian Open
• Coco Gauff: French Open
• Iga Świątek: Wimbledon
• Aryna Sabalenka: U.S. Open

Honestly, the depth of talent this year is something else.

Prize Money and Financial Stakes

There’s $15.5 million up for grabs at the Tour Finals. If the singles champ goes undefeated, they could walk away with $5,235,000.

Just winning the final brings in $2.5 million. Semifinal winners get $1.29 million, and every round-robin win is worth $355,000. Even just showing up means $340,000 in your pocket.

It’s wild to think the Finals now top even the Grand Slams for prize money.

Hosting the Event in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh hosting the WTA Tour Finals has stirred up a mix of excitement and controversy. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Tennis Federation locked in a three-year deal for the event back in April.

The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund already backs the ATP and WTA world rankings. This move is a big part of Saudi Arabia’s push into the tennis world.