American tennis star Coco Gauff has welcomed the Women's Tennis Association's decision to move the WTA Finals from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells, California, for this November.
The event, originally scheduled for Riyadh, will now take place in the U.S., ending a hosting agreement early. Gauff, who won the tournament in Saudi Arabia, expressed happiness about playing closer to home but hoped for a more permanent venue after years of rotation.
"I'm really biased, so I'm really happy it's in the U.S.," Gauff said from Wimbledon, adding she was curious about the scheduling in the California desert in November.
Fellow American player Jessica Pegula commented on the "saga" of the Finals' constant moves, suggesting world conflicts may be a factor in the instability.
The WTA did not specify the reason for the withdrawal from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Tennis Federation stated its hosting efforts had increased visibility for women's tennis.
Pegula noted Indian Wells is a proven host and hopes to participate in the relocated event.