Garbine Muguruza enjoyed a successful career on the WTA picking up two grand slam titles at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
With the WTA hard court season about to enter full swing as the race for the US Open begins, the race to play at the season-ending finals will also be in the back of players’ minds.
Last year’s tournament was, for use of a better word, a total mess, with extreme weather conditions and a scrappy schedule putting a dampener on the occasion.
Iga Swiatek marched to victory in 2023 and despite the weather saga, thumped Jessica Pegula in the final 6-1, 6-0.
A new, glittering week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will hope to bring it back to life as the WTA stars continue their race to the finals.
Former number one, Garbine Muguruza will serve as the tournament director of the finals, becoming the first former player to ever take up the role at the season-ending showdown.
Garbine Muguruza reacts to Iga Swiatek’s inclusion at the WTA Finals
With Swiatek having won five titles this season and remained at top spot all year, the Pole became the first to qualify for the finals in Riyadh.
The announcement made on X by the WTA came on Wednesday, with Muguruza quick to welcome the reigning champion to what she hopes will be a far more polished event.
She said: “Great news Iga Swiatek!! See you in Riyadh this November!!”
Muguruza qualified for the WTA Finals on four occasions, capturing the Billie Jean King Trophy at Guadalajara, Mexico in 2021.
Who else is expected to qualify for the WTA Finals?
Superb seasons from Danielle Collins and Jasmine Paolini see them high up in the race to the finals, with Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova also in amongst it.
Ons Jabeur, who has showed significant passion for the finals to be held in an Arab country, sits down in 30th in the race and looks incredibly unlikely to qualify.
Two of last years stars are also way off the pace with finalist Pegula down in 20th after a disappointing season, and Maria Sakkari also out of the top 15 after a dip in both form and fitness this year.
Swiatek’s dominance last year was overshadowed by the poor planning, but with the promise of a clean slate and with Muguruza’s best intentions, hopefully the occasion can live up to its billing once again.
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