World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will look to cap a stellar season by capturing her maiden WTA Finals title when the prestigious year-ending event begins in Riyadh on Saturday. The November 1–8 tournament features one of the strongest fields in recent memory, with all four of this year’s Grand Slam champions in contention.

The Belarusian has been a model of consistency in 2025, arriving in the Saudi capital fresh off retaining her US Open title in September. Earlier in the season, she finished runner-up to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at Roland Garros. The only major final she missed came at Wimbledon, where Iga Świątek overcame Amanda Anisimova to lift the trophy.

“It’s easier when you qualify early in the season, but I’m super excited,” said Sabalenka, who secured her spot at the WTA Finals back in July. “I love playing there, and I hope this year I can do better than I did last year.”

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova believes Sabalenka’s sustained excellence makes her the clear favorite heading into the eight-player showdown.

“Her consistency is not to be underestimated,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion told the WTA website. “There are so many players you can lose to these days, but she’s been on her game all year. She’s the heavy favorite on any surface — especially on medium-pace hard courts, where she’s deadly.”

World No. 2 Świątek will also arrive in Riyadh in confident form after a comeback season marked by her first Wimbledon title and hard-court triumphs in Cincinnati and Seoul.

The Polish star, who served a brief suspension late last year following a doping violation caused by contaminated medication, said she’s proud of how she has rebounded in 2025.

“Winning Wimbledon was a unique experience, and then also Cincinnati and Seoul,” said the 2023 WTA Finals champion. “Overall, it’s been a season of growth — I’ve learned a lot of lessons, especially after the challenges at the end of last year.”

With Grand Slam champions Sabalenka, Świątek, Keys, and Gauff all in the mix, this year’s WTA Finals promises to be one of the most competitive and star-studded editions yet.