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The WTA Finals is one of the most important tennis tournaments of the year.
The WTA Finals a women’s only tennis tournament for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) that features the top 8 singles players and top 8 doubles teams from the year.
Below you’ll learn all about the WTA Finals including the prize money, ranking points, about the location, how to attend, and more.
About the WTA Finals
The 2022 WTA Finals was the 51st edition of the singles side and the 46th of the doubles. For that period of time, this has been the premier tournament for the WTA to showcase its best talent.
The tournament features the top 8 singles and doubles teams in the world based on their WTA ranking point total for that year.
Where is the WTA Finals Tournament?
The 2022 tournament was originally scheduled to take place at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.
However, in December 2021, WTA chairman Steve Simon announced that all tournaments scheduled to be held in both China and Hong Kong would be suspended beginning in 2022.
This is due to concerns regarding the security and well-being of tennis player Peng Shuai after her allegations of sexual assault against Zhang Gaoli, a high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party, and the travel restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China.
It was then decided that the 2022 WTA Finals would be held at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. A location for 2023 has not been announced yet.
When is the WTA Finals Tournament?
The WTA Finals always takes place each year from the end of October to November. It’s after all four Grand Slam tournaments and is considered the end of the “tennis season.”
The 2023 WTA Finals Tournament dates have not been announced.
Who are the Current WTA Finals Champions?
The champions of the 2022 WTA Finals are:
- Women’s Singles: Caroline Garcia (France)
- Women’s Doubles: Veronika Kudermetova (Russia) and Elise Mertens (Belgium)
What Court Surface is the WTA Finals Played On?
This tournament is played on an indoor hard surface.
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How the WTA Finals Format Works
The WTA Finals is different from other tournaments throughout the year.
- There are 8 players or teams (for doubles).
- Instead of a draw of 8, there are two pools of four.
- Each player or team plays a match against everyone in their pool during round-robin play.
- The top two players from each pool are entered into a semifinal bracket. The top seed from pool A plays the 2nd seed from pool B and vice-versa.
- This bracket is played out to crown a champion.
So you could lose a match in pool play, and still win the WTA Finals.
WTA Finals Prize Money & Ranking Points
The total prize money for the WTA Finals tournament in 2022 was $5 million dollars (USD).
Prize money for the WTA Finals is based on match wins. Here is the breakdown of points and prize money for singles and doubles.
In total, the champion will play 5 matches, but they might lose one or even two matches in pool play.
How to Watch the WTA Finals On TV
In the US, you can watch all the WTA Finals matches live on TV or online, with the Tennis Channel or the Tennis Channel app.
How to Get Tickets to the WTA Finals Tournament
You can buy tickets through the WTA website. You can also purchase tickets from resellers like StubHub or Vivid Seats once they become available.
Where to Stay for the WTA Finals
There are many great hotel options near the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX.
High-End Hotel Options
For a 3-4 star hotel experience, check out these hotels:
Budget-Friendly Options
For a budget-friendly hotel experience, consider one of these options:
- Home2 Suites by Hilton – Fort Worth Cultural District
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott – Fort Worth University Drive
- Extended Stay America – Fort Worth Medical Center
You can also look at finding a place to stay on Airbnb. Many people who live in the area will rent out their entire home or apartment during the finals.
How to Make Your WTA Finals Experience Great
Since there is only one court that the WTA Finals are played on, it’s easy to see all the matches.
When to Arrive at the Tournament
You want to get there early if you are driving because parking and traffic can be difficult. The arena is only a 5-10 minute drive from downtown Fort Worth. Make sure you pre-purchase your parking passes in advance.
In 2022, the round robin schedule (Oct 31 – Nov 5) will be as follows:
- 3pm local time: doubles match
- 5pm & 7pm: two singles matches
- 9pm: doubles match
It’s helpful to get there early to make sure you get through security in a timely manner, so you don’t miss any of the tennis matches. This isn’t like the US Open or French Open where you can watch non-stop tennis all day.
What to Bring With You
Only small bags are allowed into the arena. You can’t bring in any outside food or drink. This includes water bottles or refillable water bottles.
What to Expect Inside
The inside of the stadium is going to be like a typical arena experience. There are food and drink vendors available, as well as souvenir and gift shops.
There aren’t any sit-down restaurants, but you can bring food from the vendors directly to your seats.
