Gauff backs WTA Finals move to Indian Wells, hopes for lasting home

LONDON, July 1 : Coco Gauff welcomed the relocation of the WTA Finals to Indian Wells in southern California from Saudi Arabia, but the American hoped the season-ending event would find a more permanent home after moving to several venues in the last few years.

The WTA said on Wednesday that the November 8-15 event would be shifted out of Riyadh this year, prematurely ending a three-year hosting agreement signed in 2024, with the 2026 edition to take place in the United States.

Gauff, who won the tournament in the Saudi Arabian capital two years ago, said it was good to bring elite tennis to a new demographic but she had no complaints about the change.

"I'm really biased, so I'm really happy it's in the U.S. As an American, it's cool," Gauff told reporters at Wimbledon about the prospect of returning to the Californian desert after the usual March stop there on the women's tour.

"It's going to be weird going to be in Indian Wells in November. I'm very curious if we're going to be playing in the night or the day. I hope the day, because I feel it's going to be a little chilly at night.

"Obviously I have great memories in Saudi, playing and winning my title there two years ago. We had a warm reception from them. It was really cool just to bring I think the first women's professional tennis event being held there."

Shenzhen, Guadalajara, Fort Worth and Cancun have also hosted the tournament since 2019.

"I definitely would like to see a more permanent home for it," Gauff added.

WTA FINALS 'SAGA' CONTINUES, PEGULA SAYS

Gauff's compatriot Jessica Pegula said it was not the fault of the women's body that they had been unable to keep the event at a single venue for a long period, suggesting the conflict in the Middle East might have