2024 WTA Finals October 28, 2024

Countdown to Riyadh: Relive the most unforgettable WTA Finals moments

Ahead of the historic first edition of the WTA Finals Riyadh in 2024, take a look back at some of the most special moments and milestones from previous editions of the year-end championships.

Chris Evert won the first edition of the year-end tournament in 1972, and she won four of the first six editions played. — 01 /15

Chris Evert won the first edition of the year-end tournament in 1972, and she won four of the first six editions played.

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Martina Navratilova (pictured here in 1984) is the most successful player in WTA Finals history with eight singles and 13 doubles titles. — 02 /15

Martina Navratilova (pictured here in 1984) is the most successful player in WTA Finals history with eight singles and 13 doubles titles.

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Evonne Googlagong won the first of her two year-end titles 50 years ago in 1974. She also won the title in 1976. — 03 /15

Evonne Googlagong won the first of her two year-end titles 50 years ago in 1974. She also won the title in 1976.

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Tracy Austin won the year-end title at age 17 in 1980, which was her only year-end title. She is one of six Americans to win the event all-time. — 04 /15

Tracy Austin won the year-end title at age 17 in 1980, which was her only year-end title. She is one of six Americans to win the event all-time.

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Monica Seles holds the record for the youngest-ever year-end champion at 16 years, 11 months in 1990. It was the first of three straight titles she won at the event. — 05 /15

Monica Seles holds the record for the youngest-ever year-end champion at 16 years, 11 months in 1990. It was the first of three straight titles she won at the event.

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Martina Hingis won her second, and last, year-end title in 2000. That tournament marked the end of the WTA Finals' long run in Madison Square Garden in NYC, where it was played each year since 1979. — 06 /15

Martina Hingis won her second, and last, year-end title in 2000. That tournament marked the end of the WTA Finals' long run in Madison Square Garden in NYC, where it was played each year since 1979.

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After retiring from tennis in August of 1999, Stefanie Graf was honored at that year's edition of the year-end event, the penultimate one held at MSG. — 07 /15

After retiring from tennis in August of 1999, Stefanie Graf was honored at that year's edition of the year-end event, the penultimate one held at MSG.

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Kim Clijsters' triumph in Los Angeles 21 years ago in 2003 was notable as it was the first event since 1978 to feature round-robin -- a format still used today. — 08 /15

Kim Clijsters' triumph in Los Angeles 21 years ago in 2003 was notable as it was the first event since 1978 to feature round-robin -- a format still used today.

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Twenty years ago in 2004, Maria Sharapova won her only year-end title with her second (and final) career win over Serena Williams. — 09 /15

Twenty years ago in 2004, Maria Sharapova won her only year-end title with her second (and final) career win over Serena Williams.

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In Madrid in 2007, Sharapova lost to Justine Henin in what was the longest three-set final in tour history at that time: 3 hours and 23 minutes. — 10 /15

In Madrid in 2007, Sharapova lost to Justine Henin in what was the longest three-set final in tour history at that time: 3 hours and 23 minutes.

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With her Doha title run in 2008, Venus Williams became the third player in the Open Era after Graf and her sister Serena to defeat the world's Top 3 in the same event. It was her only year-end singles title. — 11 /15

With her Doha title run in 2008, Venus Williams became the third player in the Open Era after Graf and her sister Serena to defeat the world's Top 3 in the same event. It was her only year-end singles title.

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In 2012 in Istanbul, Agnieszka Radwanska won the longest three-set match in event history at 3 hours and 29 minutes over Sara Errani in the round-robin phase. — 12 /15

In 2012 in Istanbul, Agnieszka Radwanska won the longest three-set match in event history at 3 hours and 29 minutes over Sara Errani in the round-robin phase.

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Ten years ago in Singapore, Serena Williams won her fifth and final year-end title -- and like Seles, she also won three in a row from 2012-14. — 13 /15

Ten years ago in Singapore, Serena Williams won her fifth and final year-end title -- and like Seles, she also won three in a row from 2012-14.

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Williams' win over Simona Halep in the 2014 final also made her the oldest champion in event history at 33 years and 1 month. — 14 /15

Williams' win over Simona Halep in the 2014 final also made her the oldest champion in event history at 33 years and 1 month.

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In her 2023 title run, Iga Swiatek dropped just 20 games in the entire tournament, the fewest since round-robin was brought back. — 15 /15

In her 2023 title run, Iga Swiatek dropped just 20 games in the entire tournament, the fewest since round-robin was brought back.

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