WTA Finals alternative situation explained as two players remain on standby in Riyadh and one has already been withdrawn

The WTA Finals will take place between November 2 and 8 in the Kingdom of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, with the world’s top eight names competing for the title. But with some doubts about certain players, could some alternates step into the void?

It’s certainly a possibility and at least two are seemingly confirmed by another deciding not to take her place on standby. That’s Emma Navarro who has now withdrawn after finishing eighth in the race.

The 23-year-old, who has had the best season of her career so far after rising from playing smaller-level ITF 125k and WTA tournaments, retired after reaching the semi-finals at the US Open.

Poor on the Asian hardcourt swing, Qinwen Zheng particularly excelled on her return to China in front of her home fans, losing just four matches since Wimbledon. She took the last place next to Barbora Krejcikova. But Navarro, who recently suffered from an illness, has decided not to travel at all.

Although especially Elena Rybakina, despite seeming to be in good spirits and back to good health, it is of course always a doubt due to recent illness and injury problems. So she would have gotten in first. Now it will be Daria Kasatkina, who won Ningbo and reached the final in Seoul, who could step down. Then it is Danielle Collins who will lead Team USA in Malaga after the WTA Finals. Initially she was going to play her final tournament in Spain, but she will continue to do so at least until 2025.

However, Collins was recently injured and hasn’t played for a while. If this were the case, Paula Badosa would probably be next in line and might have already been called. Anna Kalinskaya would also be called up. In the past, both substitutes have been needed, so it is a guaranteed part of the tournament that is important.

It costs $225,000 just for being an alternative, so free money to sit on the sidelines in case of a withdrawal, hence the call to even fly to Riyadh.

Emma Navarro, who lost her chance to go to the WTA Finals when Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was awarded the 8th spot, has decided not to go to Riyadh as an alternate. According to her agent, the official reason is that she has not yet fully recovered from a recent virus.