The second edition of the WTA Finals Riyadh saw WTA legends play a vital role off-court, as some of the game’s most beloved names returned to take part in impactful panel discussions, coaching clinics and fan engagement activities.
Here are some of the highlights.
Garcia meets students at the ECAF French school
Recently retired Caroline Garcia, who won the WTA Finals in Fort Worth in 2022, made a special appearance at the ECAF French school, meeting students and participating in a Q&A session on stage.
Getty Images
The WTA Foundation’s Special Olympics clinic
Vania King, Alicia Molik, Jessica Pegula, Gabriela Dabrowski, Erin Routliffe, Iga Swiatek and Garcia joined Judy Murray to help stage the Special Olympics clinic on behalf of the WTA Foundation.
Getty Images
A meet and greet with Kerber
Former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber, runner-up to Dominika Cibulkova at the WTA Finals Singapore in 2016, was part of an extensive program of fan engagement at the King Saud University Indoor Arena.
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for WTA
Bartoli, Jabeur champion women’s health
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli participated in the second WTA Foundation Champions for Women’s Health Summit, alongside Tunisian icon Ons Jabeur and leading figures from the local Saudi community.
Jimmie48/WTA
The first WTA Coaches Conference in Riyadh
Former World No. 7 and USTA head of women’s tennis Kathy Rinaldi took part in the first WTA Coaches Conference to be staged in Riyadh, which included the launch of the first Middle East Coach Inclusion initiative. Participants included Omani WTA standout Fatma Al-Nabhani and Jabeur’s coach, Issam Jellali. Jellali is a program administrator with Rinaldi.
Getty Images
Muguruza, Halep share trophy moment with Sabalenka
WTA Finals Riyadh tournament director Garbiñe Muguruza and fellow former No. 1 Simona Halep presented year-end No.1 Aryna Sabalenka with the Chris Evert WTA World No. 1 Trophy.
Photo by Clicks Images/Getty Images
Hlavackova celebrates Siniakova’s historic feat
Andrea Sestini Hlavackova, the 2017 WTA Finals doubles champion and a former doubles World No. 3, joined Muguruza to present Katerina Siniakova with her year-end No. 1 trophy. It marked the fifth time the Czech has ended the season at the top, a WTA record shared with Martina Navratilova.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
ACEing Cancer
With funds raised for every ace served during the tournament, the WTA Foundation’s ACEing Cancer presented by Hologic campaign generated $200,000 in support of women’s cancer research, prevention and treatment. WTA Foundation board member Daniela Hantuchova was on hand for the presentation of a symbolic jumbo check.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for WTA