Aryna Sabalenka did not enjoy her experience at the 2023 WTA Finals, despite reaching the semi-finals.
The Belarusian former world number one was seeded first at the event and one of the heavy favourites for the title in Cancun, Mexico.
Sabalenka performed well in the round-robin stage, defeating Elena Rybakina and Maria Sakkari to advance to the last four.
After defeating Sakkari [the Belarusian’s opening match], Sabalenka expressed her frustrations regarding the tournament’s organisation and playing conditions.
Aryna Sabalenka felt disrespected by the WTA Tour at the 2023 WTA Finals
“I am very disappointed with the WTA and the experience so far at the WTA Finals,” the Belarusian stated after defeating Sakkari 6-0 6-1 in the Mexican city.
“This is not the level of organisation we expect for the Finals.”
The host for the 2023 WTA Finals was only decided two months before the tournament’s starting date following failed talks between the WTA and a potential Saudi Arabian host venue.
Moreover, as reported by the BBC in 2023, the Cancun courts were completed just days before the tournament was due to start.
“To be honest, I don’t feel safe moving on this court a lot of the time,” Sabalenka also said after her first match at the 2023 year-end event.
“The bounce is not consistent at all and we weren’t able to practise on this court until yesterday for the first time. It’s just not acceptable to me with so much on the line and so much at stake.
“As I said in my press conference tonight, as a player I really feel disrespected by the WTA. I think most of us do.”
As mentioned previously, Sabalenka endeavoured and fought her way to the semi-finals in Cancun.
There, she came unstuck against eventual champion Iga Swiatek, who triumphed 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-final match.
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Aryna Sabalenka’s WTA Finals record
Sabalenka made her WTA Finals debut in 2021 as the top seed.
The Belarusian struggled to make her mark at the event, exiting the tournament in the group stage following losses to Maria Sakkari and Paula Badosa.
Sabalenka returned with a vengeance in 2022, defeating Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek en route to the final.
There, she was defeated by Caroline Garcia in straight sets.
The 2026 WTA Finals lineup
- Elena Rybakina
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Coco Gauff
- Jessica Pegula
- Mirra Andreeva
- Elina Svitolina
- Karolina Muchova
- Linda Noskova
Two consecutive semi-final appearances were recorded by Sabalenka in 2023 and 2024 – the Belarusian lost to Swiatek and Coco Gauff, respectively.
Sabalenka returned to the final in 2025 and faced off against her great rival, Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina emerged victorious, triumphing 6-3, 7-6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rybakina, who won all of her contests at the 2025 event, will defend 1,500 WTA ranking points at the 2026 tournament.
