TENNIS: Gauff backs WTA Finals move to Indian Wells, hopes for lasting home

LONDON – Coco Gauff welcomed the relocation of the WTA Finals from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Indian Wells, California, saying she is excited to see the season-ending tournament return to the United States while hoping it eventually settles into a permanent home.

The WTA announced Wednesday that the Nov. 8–15 tournament will move to Indian Wells this year, ending its three-year hosting agreement with Riyadh ahead of schedule. The 2026 edition will also be held in the United States.

Gauff, who won the WTA Finals in Riyadh in 2024, said she has fond memories of competing in Saudi Arabia but is pleased the event will now be staged on home soil.

"As an American, it's cool," Gauff told reporters at Wimbledon. She added that she is curious about the playing conditions in Indian Wells in November, saying daytime matches would likely be preferable because evenings could be chilly.

The American also praised the reception players received in Saudi Arabia, noting that hosting the tournament there helped introduce women's professional tennis to a new audience.

Since 2019, the WTA Finals have been held in Shenzhen, Guadalajara, Fort Worth, Cancun and Riyadh, with frequent venue changes prompting Gauff to express hope that the tournament will eventually establish a long-term home.

Fellow American Jessica Pegula described the tournament's changing locations as an ongoing "saga," saying the WTA has faced challenges beyond its control, including global conflicts that have affected hosting arrangements.

The WTA did not provide a specific reason for ending the event's stay in Saudi Arabia early. The kingdom has faced criticism from human rights groups, which accuse it of using major sporting events to improve its international image. Saudi Arabia denies allegations of human rights abuses and says its laws are intended to protect national security.

The Saudi Tennis Federation said its partnership with the WTA had expanded women's tennis in the country, reaching thousands of people through community programs and increasing the sport's visibility both locally and internationally.

Pegula said it was unfortunate the tournament's run in Riyadh ended earlier than expected but expressed confidence that Indian Wells is well-equipped to host a world-class event.

She added that she hopes to compete in the tournament when it is held in California in November. -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in London; Editing by Alison Williams/Reuters