WTA Finals
The WTA Finals has crowned a season-ending champion since 1972. Its honour roll splits neatly in two: an era of sustained dominance by a handful of all-time greats, and a modern era in which almost nobody manages to win it twice.
Recent Champions
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Elena Rybakina |
| 2024 | Coco Gauff |
| 2023 | Iga Swiatek |
Elena Rybakina won the 2025 title, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 7-6(0) in the final. She became the first player representing Kazakhstan to win the event.
The All-Time Records
| Player | Titles |
|---|---|
| Martina Navratilova | 8 |
| Serena Williams | 5 |
| Steffi Graf | 5 |
Martina Navratilova’s eight titles came between 1978 and 1986 and it is the sort of record that is unlikely to be approached again. Serena Williams won five, including three in a row from 2012 to 2014.
Why Nobody Repeats Any More
The last 11 editions have produced 11 different champions. That is the clearest statistical expression of how the depth of the women’s game has changed: qualifying for the top eight is itself hard enough that arriving in form two seasons running has become the exception.
It also reflects the format. Round-robin groups mean the eventual champion has to beat several of the best players in the world inside a week, with no easy opening rounds to find rhythm in.
A New Venue for 2026
The 2026 edition moves to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. Nobody holds a WTA Finals record there, so whatever course-and-distance history exists comes from the BNP Paribas Open played on the same courts each spring.
FAQ
WTA Finals FAQs
Who has won the most WTA Finals titles?
Martina Navratilova, with eight, won between 1978 and 1986. Serena Williams and Steffi Graf are next with five each.
Who won the WTA Finals in 2025?
Elena Rybakina, who beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 7-6(0). She was the first champion representing Kazakhstan.
Has anyone defended the WTA Finals recently?
No. The last 11 editions have produced 11 different champions, which reflects both the depth of the field and the difficulty of the round-robin format.
Where are the 2026 WTA Finals?
At the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, from 8 to 15 November.
More Coverage
See our WTA Finals preview, betting tips, prize money breakdown and how to watch guide. Full coverage sits on our WTA Finals hub, every event we follow is in the tournaments index, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.