The WTA Finals is a highlight of the women’s tennis calendar, as it is the championship that takes place annually to honour the best players of the year.This special event features the top performers of the season competing together in an unusual format such as this one with only eight women and a big prize at the end making it a perfect ending for the Women’s Tennis Association WTA season. The fans should be prepared for the intense showdown as in the following paragraphs we explore the event by going into details regarding its history, format and even its meanings.

The History of the WTA Finals

WTA finals is a tournament history that dates back to 1972 when it was called the virginia slims championships and known as the WTA Fight for the Best Cup subsequently released in Boston. The WTA was very successful launching various winning cups. It has changed names and cities that have hosted it. WTA Tour Championships in 2003 and soon after it was known as WTA Finals 2014. Numerous towns such as Los Angeles, New York city, Doha and Singapore, just to mention a few have hosted the tournament with lots of diversity in styles.

The Format: Round Robin to Knockout

What makes WTA Finals different is its format which also occurs rarely in other tennis competitions. In stark contrast to the traditional format of elimination, the Finals begins with a round robin. The eight qualified participants are distributed into two groups with each consisting of four players. Each of the group’s members performs against two members, which totals to three matches for every participant. The best two performers of each of the groups will proceed to the semi finals thereafter the competition changes into an elimination style.

How Players Qualify for the WTA Finals

As implemented in most tennis tournaments, the Finals has its participants which earn points for the entire season and used in its qualification rounds. Only the top 8 players in a season’s race to earn points from tournaments get an invite that goes out to participants. What it means is that each match and every tournament from the start of the season is of paramount importance and players need to aim for all parts in order to qualify.

Memorable Moments and Iconic Matches

For every sport there is something like that which cannot be forgotten and the same can be said about WTA Finals as well. One of those chief moments was in the year 2001 when Serena and Venus Williams were pitted against each other in the final event based in Munich, Germany. The sports were as fierce as any Grand Slam finals should be and this time it was Serena who clutched victory over her counterpart in the round postseason.

The 2014 edition witnessed the rise of Simona Halep as a force to be reckoned with, in the WTA Finals. In the first part of the competition, Halep shocked Williams for a win, but Serena fought harder to take the title home. The tournament allows the audience to witness great rivalries, where young stars clash with seasoned veterans, and it is sure to provide some thrilling moments for fans of tennis around the world.

Conclusion

As it is, the WTA Finals is the best championship of the WTA season as it features the best female athletes in tennis in one single competition. Affirmatively, this competition is historical and comes with a unique billing and this makes it amazing to tennis fans all across the globe. Each and every one of the matches played is meaningful and worth the title they are fighting for. A fitting conclusion to the unified season of WTA.

FAQs

Q1. What is WTA Finals?

A1. WTA-Finals is the annual concluding tournament of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) season. The competition is in round robin style where the top 8 ranked female players of the season compete.

Q2. What conditions have to be satisfied for a player to bag a place in the WTA Finals?

A2. Players are able to qualify for the WTA-Finals based on their points ranking throughout the weeks. The players with qualifying rankings of top eight are considered on the table of WTA Race and all the points they obtain in the course of the season.

Q3. What is the venue for the WTA Finals?

A3. There are different venues for the WTA-Finals, the venue being changed every few years. In Singapore, Doha, Shenzhen, and Guadalajara in the past the finals were held with different cities hosting due to vigorous marketing efforts aimed at a worldwide audience.

Q4. Why is WTA Finals referred to as the WTA Tour Finals and not a Grand Slam?

A4. Both tournaments are prestigious, but WTA-Finals only cater for the top 8 players while Grand Slams are open to all players in WTA. In addition, the early rounds of WTA Finals adopt a round robin format that is also distinct.

Q5. Who is the player with the most WTA Finals titles?

A5. Martina Navratilova also has been the most successful player with eight WTA Finals titles won during her career.