The WTA Finals stand as the season-ending showdown in women’s tennis — where the top eight singles players and doubles teams fight for the year’s ultimate title. According to Section VI of the official 2025 WTA Rulebook, qualification is determined through performance and consistency across the season.
Here’s a complete look at how players earn their ticket to the Finals.
The Race to the WTA Finals: How It Works
Every tournament from the week before the previous year’s Finals through two weeks before the current edition (November 1-8, 2025) counts toward the Race to the Finals Leaderboard — the exclusive ranking that determines who makes it to the season finale.
Singles Race Points are based on a player’s best 18 tournaments, which must include:
- 4 Grand Slams
- 6 WTA 1000 Mandatory (combined/virtually combined) events
- 1 additional WTA-only 1000 Mandatory event
- Best 7 results from WTA 1000, 500, or 250 tournaments
WTA 125 and ITF tournaments don’t count — they’re replaced by better WTA-level results.
Singles: Who Makes the Final Eight?
To qualify, a singles player must:
- Have played at least eight WTA 1000 or WTA 500 events, unless covered by the Long-Term Injury rule.
- Rank high enough on the Race to the Finals Leaderboard.
The eight singles qualifiers are determined as follows:
- Top 7 players on the Race leaderboard
- If not already qualified, the highest-ranked Grand Slam champion of the year ranked between 8 and 20 is guaranteed a spot — meaning Madison Keys was always safe in securing her place for the 2025 season
- If no such Grand Slam winner exists, the next-best ranked player takes the final spot — Elena Rybakina 14 points behind Mirra Andreeva as of October 20, 2025 after winning the Ningbo Open Title.
This ensures that both season-long consistency and Grand Slam success are rewarded.
Tiebreak Rules: When It’s Neck and Neck
When two or more players or teams tie for a spot, the WTA uses a clear step-down tiebreak system:
- Most points from WTA 1000 Mandatory tournaments
- Highest single 1000 Mandatory result
- Highest single 500 result
- Highest single 250 result
This ensures qualification reflects strength at the top level.
Mandatory Attendance — and the Price of Skipping
Every qualified player must attend and compete at the WTA Finals, arriving at least three days before play.
Missing the event without valid reason brings heavy consequences:
- $125,000 fine + zero ranking points (which still count among the top 16 results)
However, fines may be suspended if the player completes approved WTA promotional activities, such as media or sponsor events.
Alternates: The Standby Stars
Two singles players are named alternates, ready to step in if anyone withdraws.
Alternates must:
- Be present for the official draw ceremony
- Stay on site through the round-robin stage
- Receive points and prize money only if they compete
If an alternate plays, she becomes a full participant in the WTA Finals standings.
Format and Scoring
The singles competition features eight players split into two groups of four, playing a round-robin format:
- The top two in each group advance to semifinals, followed by the final.
- Best of three tie-break sets
Ranking Points Breakdown
| Stage | Points |
|---|---|
| Round-robin win (3 games) | 200 for each |
| Semifinal win (1 game) | 400 |
| Final win (1 game) | 500 |
| Undefeated Champion (5 games) | 1,500 total |
Media and Promo Obligations
The WTA Finals come with extra off-court duties:
- Pre-tournament media days in September for selected players
- Mandatory media sessions, draw ceremony, Finals party, and post-match sponsor events
- Winners must commit three hours to media on the day after their victory
Skipping any of these brings a $20,000 fine per missed activity.
The Bottom Line
Only the most consistent, successful, and reliable competitors across the season — plus all deserving Grand Slam champions — earn a place among the last eight standing.