And Gauff beat Iga Swiatek to ensure her place in the latter stages, with the victory also handing Sabalenka the year-end number one spot for the very first time.

At the other end, suffering early exits in the WTA Finals in Riyadh were Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula.

Attendance records have, however, sadly overshadowed the action on court, with just 400 people watching Gauff play compatriot Jessica Pegula.

Tim Henman frustrated and disappointed by WTA Finals

The WTA has defended the attendance figures in an official statement, arguing that it will take time to build an audience in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s King Saud University Indoor Arena has a capacity of 5,000, with the poor attendances disappointing former British number one Tim Henman.

“I think it’s just been disappointing,” he told Sky Sports Tennis. “The way the event has been hosted, you look at the stadium courts, it’s absolutely fantastic, all the facilities, practice courts, restaurants, they’ve laid it all on. So, it’s just a little bit frustrating, and I think disappointing for the top eight players in the world that we haven’t had a better atmosphere.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka says what she was constantly telling herself during her WTA Finals win vs Jasmine Paolini

“The first day was OK, which was part of the Saudi weekend, but yesterday, to have 300-400 in the crowd when you’ve got a 5,000 seater stadium, it just doesn’t create the atmosphere that these great players deserve. A lot of the players who were here have been talking about change, and part of the reason they’re here is to bring about change.”

Rennae Stubbs and Tim Henman defend WTA Finals

Henman’s fellow former professional Rennae Stubbs adopted a similar stance, having really enjoyed the battle between Gauff and Swiatek.

Discussing the match and the wider situation, she wrote on X: “This tennis is REAL good from Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek!!

READ MORE: WTA Finals 2024: How to watch, prize money, dates, prediction and everything you need to know

“Also if I read one more thing on this site about women’s tennis not being entertaining or worth watching, turn on your tv to the TC & watch this match & if you’re still negative about women’s tennis, unfollow me.”

Henman meanwhile has tried to see the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the playing of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, with the event having been played in Cancun, Mexico last year.

“Maybe I’m being a little bit impatient but I think this is a great opportunity, and admittedly, is the first year,” he continued. “So, I think there will be a lot of positives to take away and perhaps we should reserve judgement at the end of the week, and then perhaps as we go into the second year.

“They’re not, I wouldn’t have thought, trying to make a great deal of money from the ticket sales. So, if they’re giving them a lot of the way, they’ve got to get out there and advertise it and build that interest. And that’s how you are going to make change.”

Related Posts