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New qualifications rules for WTA Final

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8.9K views 31 replies 23 participants last post by  anddav2017  
#1 ·
The end of season WTA Finals in 2024 has been adjusted to fully align the qualification system with that of the ATP to make it easier for media and fans to follow, as well as to ensure that the best product possible is delivered to the event.

Singles
•Singles race points are a player’s best 18 tournament ranking point results according to the WTA Rankings as of the Monday after Week 43.
•Players must compete in eight WTA 1000/500 tournaments (except when long-term injury rules apply)
•Race qualification order:
--The top seven (7) players in the Race as of the Monday after Week 43, followed by
--The 8th spot goes to the highest ranked current-year Grand Slam winner not already qualified and ranked 8 through 20. In the event one of the Top 7 players withdraws, the open spot would go to the second highest ranked current year Grand Slam winner not already qualified ranked 8-20, followed by
--Players positioned eight and below in the Race as of that Monday.
•Missing WTA commitment tournaments does not impact ability to qualify for the WTA Finals except that a player must have played eight WTA 1000 and/or WTA 500 tournaments to be eligible to qualify for the WTA Finals (provided, however, that long-term injury rules apply, see rulebook for details)
 
#3 ·
They basically copied the ATP at long last. The GS winner rule has been used a lot in men doubles, let's see how it will pan out for women tennis.

Winning 1000, 500 and 250 points for a WTA 1000/500/250 makes so much more sense than 900, 470 and 280 points. :spitrofl: Steve and Micky were both mediocre AF but to convince many tournaments to become WTA 500s in shitty calendar spots is quite extraordinary.
 
#8 ·
Good luck to them whatever they do, this event has become a side show for years. It has some sort of artificial value that nobody can make sense off, one year 7 mil, the next year 14 the next year after 5 paid for by the WTA.
 
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#24 ·
The change to allow the 8th player to be an actual slam champ form the same year is a great one.
Elena, Kim, a lot of players have been effected by the old rules and it has probably made the YEC less interesting overall the past 15 years or so.
 
#18 ·
What if a player outside the Top 70 all year (not ranked high enough for most WTA1000/WTA500), maybe a youngster coming up, wins US Open and also a WTA1000 after it, entering the Top 20 (maybe even Top 8), will they be allowed to play the WTA Finals, considering they didn't play eight WTA1000/WTA500 and were also not injured?


Raducanu in the year she won US Open could be an example of this also.
 
#20 ·
The new rules seem fairly good, considering the early grapevine rumours. The eight commitment tournaments could become an issue in some cases - as I don't think the long-term injury rules apply to returnees from maternity leave (or do they)?

Note: the link to the rules goes to 2023 rulebook. Where is the official 2024 rulebook?