The WTA Finals is set to relocate to Indian Wells after the governing body cut ties with Saudi Arabia.
The event, one of the premier tournaments on the WTA calendar, has been held in Riyadh for the past two years.
The WTA has now shifted their focus to America, and the season-ending spectacle will now be hosted in California.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
Jessica Pegula, the world number four and new chair of the WTA Player Council, has offered her honest reaction to the move.
Jessica Pegula says playing on Indian Wells courts in November will be ‘weird’
“The saga of the WTA Finals continues,” Pegula said while speaking to reporters at Wimbledon. “It’s like we can’t catch a break, and I don’t necessarily think it’s our fault.
“There just tends to be a lot of world conflicts that seem to happen and get in the way.
“I was aware a bit that Indian Wells was an option. I think as far as them operating the event, they put on a great event every single year.
“I think that is what the tour felt comfortable with, because there is not a lot of time to find someone to be able to manage that and know what they’re doing isn’t easy.
“I think they had the courts, they had the space, they know what they’re doing there, and I think hopefully it will be a great replacement for the Finals.
“And it’s unfortunate we couldn’t quite end in Riyadh on a good note. But, you know, things happen. So I think we just kind of have to go along with that decision. Hopefully I can be there in November.”
One reporter then asked: “What do you think it will be like playing in those courts in November?
“It will be weird,” Pegula replied. “A little weird.
“Yeah, I’m not sure. We’ll see.”
The WTA Finals was first hosted in 1972 in Boca Raton, USA.
Since then, the tournament has travelled across the globe, landing in Spain, Qatar, Türkiye, Singapore, China, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
Elena Rybakina, the world number two, is the defending WTA Finals champion.
The Kazakhstani defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 in last year’s final.
| Years | Location |
| 1972–73 | Boca Raton, US |
| 1974–76 | Los Ángeles, US |
| 1977 | New York City, US |
| 1978 | Oakland, US |
| 1979–2000 | New York City, US |
| 2001 | Munich, US |
| 2002–05 | Los Ángeles, US |
| 2006–07 | Madrid, Spain |
| 2008–10 | Doha, Qatar |
| 2011–13 | Istanbul, Turkiye |
| 2014–18 | Singapore |
| 2019 | Shenzhen, China |
| 2021 | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 2022 | Fort Worth, US |
| 2023 | Cancún, Mexico |
| 2024–25 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 2026 | Indian Wells, US |
Jessica Pegula advances to the Wimbledon third round
Pegula secured her place in the third round of Wimbledon after defeating Sara Sorribes Tormo on Wednesday afternoon.
The American, who has been told by Martina Navratilova that she can win Wimbledon this year, beat her Spanish opponent 7-6, 6-1.
Pegula will play another Spaniard in the third round: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The 30-year-old has a 1-0 record against Maneiro, having beaten the Spaniard en route to the 2024 US Open final.
Pegula defeated Maneiro 6-3, 6-3 in the third round.
