Overview
- Gauff enters Riyadh as the defending champion and No. 3 seed after winning Roland Garros in June and the Wuhan Open in October, extending her perfect 9‑for‑9 record in hard‑court finals.
- Navratilova praised Gauff’s two‑handed backhand as “like Djokovic’s—maybe with even more power,” called her serve a potential weapon when firing, and highlighted her movement and volleys.
- Gauff has been rebuilding her serve with biomechanist Gavin MacMillan, who says the first objective is a trusted kick serve before expanding first‑serve pace and spin.
- The WTA Finals run November 1–8 in Riyadh with record $15.5 million prize money; the eight‑player field features No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 Iga Swiatek, Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, and Madison Keys.
- Navratilova labeled Sabalenka the season’s most consistent contender and a favorite on medium‑pace hard courts, and urged Swiatek to bring the aggressive, flatter hitting that powered her Wimbledon title.