WTA Finals opens at Indian Wells with Rybakina as top seed
The gist
The 2026 WTA Finals begin Sunday at Indian Wells with a $10 million prize purse.
It is the first time the season-ending event is held at Indian Wells.
How it unfolded
- Jul 1, 2026The WTA announces the 2026 WTA Finals will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from November 8-15, with tickets on general sale July 2.
- Oct 19, 2026Andreeva, 19, reaches a career-high No. 3 and ties Pegula for most match-wins (50) on tour; Rybakina's US Open win gives her No. 1 for the first time, ending Sabalenka's 99-week run at the top.
- Oct 25, 2026The field is set for the FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells, including the eight doubles teams.
Key terms
- WTA Finals
- The season-ending championship of the women's professional tennis tour, featuring the year's top singles players and doubles teams.
- top seed
- The practice of separating the most skilled competitors in a tournament bracket so they do not meet in early rounds.
- round-robin
- A competition format in which each contestant meets every other participant, usually in turn.
Source: Wikipedia