Ever since the WTA Finals moved to Saudi Arabia, many eyebrows have been raised about the controversial venue for the tournament. However, the start of the action-packed event was set to bury these controversies. Looks like it has taken a turn for the worse as fans have turned out in very small numbers throughout the event. Even Iga Swiatek’s match against Barbora Krejcikova had less than 1000 people in attendance in a stadium that has a seating capacity of almost 15,000 people. This became a talking point among Andy Roddick and a renowned journalist, Jon Wertheim.

Earlier this week, a new episode of Andy Roddick’s podcast ‘Served’ dropped where the two could be seen opposing each other on this issue. While Wertheim strongly questioned WTA’s decision to hold the tournament in Riyadh, Roddick mentioned that the women’s body could hardly refuse the money when other venues declined to put in the investment.

Wertheim began the debate, saying, “When Chrissie and Martina were opposed to moving this event to Saudi Arabia, one of the great justifications by the WTA and some of the supporters were inspiring, we’re opening eyes, we’re going to have all these young population, girls in particular going to be so inspired… And then you find out 100 people in the stands, that’s a little problematic.”

However, Roddick countered Wertheim, saying, “I’m not with you on this. Is it the WTA’s responsibility to take on that financial stress because other markets aren’t stepping up at the same scale financially. Should Sabalenka be making less because another market isn’t stepping up to the plate financially?”

Indeed, the move to Riyadh has helped the likes of Sabalenka, Swiatek, and others. There is a massive increase in prize money for this year’s event.

2024 WTA Finals prize money sets history

Ever since the move of the WTA Finals to Riyadh was announced, all eyes have been on the prize money for the tournament after a massive investment by Saudi’s PIF. It didn’t disappoint as the prize money for the 2024 edition entered the record books with the highest prize pool for the event.

The overall purse for the tournament was set at US$15,250,000, which was an almost 70% increase compared to the previous edition in Mexico. With this, the money pocketed by the winners, runner-ups, and other players also increased by a significant margin. Interestingly, the money earned by the WTA Finals winner will be more than that of the ATP Finals champion.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka is on the course to win her maiden WTA Finals crown. She has already made it to the semifinals and will have to wait until the end of the other group’s matches to know her last 4 opponents. With an eye on the massive prize money at stake, can Sabalenka win her first WTA Finals trophy? Let us know your views in the comments below.