The WTA is experiencing a spectator problem during their showcase event and missing a big opportunity

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Fans around the world have been waiting all year for the WTA Finals, but that hasn’t helped attendances in Riyadh...

As the Group Stages of the 2025 WTA Finals draw to a close, one thing remains clear: Saudi Arabia hasn’t been hit with tennis fever just yet.

The 4,000-capacity King Saud University arena hasn’t exactly been ‘packed’ so far in 2025, as empty seats have been visible during many of the matches.

Attendances have been particularly poor for the first matches of the day, while the evening sessions seem to garner more interest.

While the tournament is, by all accounts, well-run and enjoyed by the players, if attendances don’t pick up, then surely the WTA Tour must take action.

The WTA Finals should move away from Saudi Arabia if attendances don’t improve

When fans tune in around the world to watch the eight best players in women’s tennis compete, they don’t want to see them do so in silence.

A competition with the history and pedigree of the tour finals should be played in front of packed, engaged crowds.

Whatever your stance is on Saudi Arabia and sport, it’s hard to put forward a good argument to suggest the fans in the Kingdom have shown a real appetite for the WTA Finals.

Whether fans have been priced out of attending is another question, but the facts are that the crowds have been disappointing.

The stars of the ATP Tour are about to head to Turin for their year-end championships, and there is no doubt that the ‘Inalpi Arena’ will be full throughout, and if it weren’t, there would be questions asked.

So why should Saudi Arabia be exempt from the very same questions?

Women’s tennis is certainly not short of star power, and the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek should be playing in front of capacity crowds.

If Saudi Arabia can’t provide those crowds, then maybe it’s time to move elsewhere.

With four American women in this year’s field, a trip to the US could make sense.

2025 WTA Finals field

There is certainly no shortage of both world-class tennis facilities and, perhaps more importantly, tennis fans in the States.

However, any move would likely take place after 2026, when the tournament’s three-year contract with Saudi Arabia comes to an end…

Jonathan Overend and Rennae Stubbs slam WTA Finals attendances

Working as a commentator for Sky Sports during Elena Rybakina and Ekaterina Alexandrova’s Group Stage game, Jonathan Overend gave his verdict on the crowds in Riyadh.

“It’s a similar crowd to yesterday and the day before, and if I’m going to be very honest about it, as I always will be, it’s not great,” he said.

“It’s still disappointing; they struggle to get anywhere near filling this 4,000 capacity arena.”

His co-commentator, Laura Robson, wasn’t quite so negative, however, as she noted an improvement since last year’s tournament.

“I would say it’s better than last year, if we’re going to put a positive spin on it,” she said.

“There was some good atmosphere towards the end of Pegula/Sabalenka last night, because it was by far the best match that we’ve seen.”

Robson may not have agreed with Overend, but former doubles star Rennae Stubbs did, as she shared her thoughts on the attendances during the latest episode of her podcast.

“It’s hard for me to watch it [WTA Finals], I will say the crowds have been pretty… They’re certainly a little better than they were last year, but it does bother me in so many ways when I see crowds that are not that big,” she said.

“To see our best player in the world battling it out with, not a big crowd, it really bothers me.”

Only time will tell if the attendance will improve as the tournament progresses, but the signs aren’t looking too good.

The semifinals of the 2025 WTA Finals are scheduled to begin on Friday, November 7.