The WTA Finals is well underway with Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka all unbeaten so far.
What is meant to be an exciting, bustling year-end finale for the WTA often seems to attract little else but criticism.
Last year, the eight best players in the world faced off in horrific weather conditions in Cancun, playing in an outdoor arena that had barely just been constructed.
The time, with heightened stakes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek battling it out for the year-end world number one spot, the finals has been under fire once again.
Taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the first time, the event was meant to be a glittering celebration of the sport’s finest athletes.
Indeed, the decision to host the event in Saudi Arabia saw some significant pushback, with both Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert effectively boycotting the event.
However, there have been significant voices in the sport, such as Ons Jabeur and Judy Murray, who have explained their eagerness to platform and grown women’s tennis in the Middle East.
Despite their best efforts, a dismal number of spectators for the second day of the finals has now caused further outrage among fans.
Tennis fans blast shocking WTA Finals crowd attendance
The opening day saw Sabalenka face debutant Qinwen Zheng for the fourth time this year, and Swiatek make a return to the tour having not played since the US Open.
The second day, which saw immensely popular players Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula go head-to-head however, drew in a crowd of less than 500.
Understandably frustrated, one fan wrote: “WTA have to do better with their decision making. These are the best 8 women tennis players in the world and to play the matches with so few spectators is so disappointing.”
Another added: “That looks like a lot less than 400, there are barely 100 people.”
Another wrote: “I think it is very sad. I believe it does not represent the support that women’s tennis has globally. Sorry for the players that have to self motive on court in an empty arena.”
One simply said: “It’s really not good for the sport..”
What do the players think about the atmosphere at the WTA finals?
Former professional and now the tournament director, Garbine Muguruza described the WTA Finals as the ‘ultimate event’ to decide the year-end number one ranking.
The WTA also shared a post via X after the opening day, writing “Top-notch atmosphere in Riyadh,” attached to a quote from Sabalenka saying, “It was [a] really great atmosphere.”
While it is undoubtedly important to expand and grow women’s tennis, it feels misguided to begin that task by hosting one of the most prestigious events in the calendar.
Nobody is necessarily expecting a nation, broadly unfamiliar with tennis, to suddenly sell out enormous arena’s.
However, the decision to host the WTA Finals in what was widely predicted to be an empty stadium/poor crowd turnout, just a year after a terribly organised tournament in Cancun, feels both disrespectful and probably unhelpful.
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