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We might still be in September, but the WTA Finals 2023 will be here before we know it. This is the end-of-year event that determines who will be crowned as the Queen of the WTA Tour each season. As you might remember, Caroline Garcia won the WTA Finals in 2022, which was a huge surprise for many. Yet this year, the 2023 WTA Finals will be quite different in terms of the players involved and most likely winners. And at the time of writing, we have four confirmed qualifiers for the 2023 WTA Finals, which means that there are just four remaining qualifying spots up for grabs.
Ironically, there are just four weeks left of the official WTA 2023 season too, which means that the next month is of huge importance for those trying to qualify. Of course, these remaining weeks will determine whether a player actually qualifies for the WTA Finals 2023 or not. As for what dictates this – it all comes down to their performances in the remaining tournaments. Speaking of which, there is one remaining 1000-level event, which is the China Open set to be held next week.
As for the rest, the schedule consists of a blend of 500, 250, and 125-level tournaments. So really, the China Open is the most significant chance that players have to secure a qualifying spot for the 2023 WTA Finals. Anyway, taking this into account, I’d like to share the current standing regarding confirmed qualifiers, as well as discuss how this all ties in with the potential qualifiers.
Who has qualified for the WTA Finals 2023?
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As referenced above, there are four players who have already secured a qualifying position for the 2023 WTA Finals, otherwise known as the WTA Elite Trophy. Due to the qualifying criteria for the WTA Finals, which relate to things like Grand Slam wins and performances in 1000-level events, four players have qualified more than one month in advance. And I’d like to provide a quick breakdown of these players now.
Aryna Sabalenka
When Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 Australian Open, she probably hadn’t given a second thought about the 2023 WTA Finals. Nevertheless, winning a Grand Slam is of huge importance in the race to qualify for this event. And as the world number one, which means she’s had a great season overall, Sabalenka is officially in the draw.
Iga Swiatek
Much like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek also won a Grand Slam this season, which came at the 2023 French Open. She hasn’t performed quite as well at the other slams, but she’s still been consistent enough to accumulate plenty of points. Of course, she is also the world number two.
Coco Gauff
It was an incredible moment when Coco Gauff won the 2023 US Open. This result, combined with the fact that she won the 1000 event in Cincinnati was enough to guarantee her spot for the WTA Finals 2023. Additionally, Gauff has qualified for the doubles event with her partner, Jessica Pegula.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina is ranked 5 in the world at the moment, and she is the 4th of the confirmed qualifiers ahead of the 2023 WTA Finals. As for her 2023 season, she made the finals of the Australian Open, and she won two 1000-level tournaments. This sealed her spot for the end-of-season event in October.
Most likely qualifiers for the WTA Finals 2023 as things stand
With four spots remaining and four weeks left of official competitions, the battle to make the WTA Finals is heating up. So who is still in with a realistic shot of qualifying as things stand? Let me address that by highlighting three strong candidates right now.
Jessica Pegula
Of the possible qualifiers, Jessica Pegula is the closest to making it. In fact, if she makes a deep draw run in Tokyo this week, Pegula will officially become the 5th qualifier for the WTA Finals 2023.
Marketa Vondrousova
Vondrousova is 6th in the race to qualify for the 2023 WTA Finals, and her Wimbledon victory puts her as a red-hot favorite to make it. Adding to that, her performances in other eligible events put her on 3661 points, as things stand.
Karolina Muchova
Karolina Muchova is the third candidate who has a very good chance of qualifying at the moment. She has a total of 3650 points thanks to reaching the finals of Roland Garros and the Cincinnati Open. And because she has several hundred points more than the other possible qualifiers, which include Jabeur and Sakkari, I feel she is almost over the line.
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