"No Gala, no photoshoot, no info on WTA accounts" - Fans angry over WTA Finals' lack of 'promotion' in Saudi Arabia compared to Six Kings Slam

Fans have been vocal about the lack of promotion and flair surrounding the WTA Finals draw, especially compared to the much-anticipated Six Kings Slam exhibition event. The draw for the year-end championships was released on the WTA's official social media accounts and website.

The 2023 WTA Finals in Cancun featured a glamorous gala where the tennis stars dressed up and celebrated the sport while the draw was released amid much fanfare.

However, this year, the draw was released abruptly, according to many fans, who expressed their dissatisfaction at the absence of a photoshoot, official event imagery, and live coverage of the draw.

The 2024 WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the start of a three-year contract to host the event. The Six Kings Slam, a men’s exhibition event, was also held in Riyadh and received significant promotion, with numerous videos and updates highlighting every detail.

Comparing the two events, one fan noted:

"The amount of promotion the '6 Kings Slam' event had compared to the struggling to find even only how to follow when the WTA Finals draw is happening 😖"

"❌no Gala ❌no official photoshoot ❌no info on official WTA accounts WTA=🤡" another fan wrote.

"This wta finals is so😕 no gala no getting dressed up no content no live stream of the draw oh we didn’t know what we had🕊️" a third fan wrote.

The lack of the "iconic" gala this year has left fans feeling that the WTA Finals are missing the usual touch of elegance and engagement.

"Wdym there is no wta finals gala?????" one fan asked.

"Oh rip wta finals gala you will always be remembered 🕊" another fan wrote.

"@WTA @WTAFinalsRiyadh Can you confirm your big showpiece event of the year is having no gala this year! This has been an iconic event EVERY YEAR in the past. What’s going on??" yet another fan asked.

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WTA Finals 2024 draw: Iga Swiatek & Coco Gauff drawn in Orange Group; Aryna Sabalenka & Elena Rybakina in Purple Group

Iga Swiatek practices in Riyadh ahead of the WTA Finals 2024 (Image: Getty)

The 2024 WTA Finals draw is interesting with familiar foes battling it out in the group stage. Top seed Aryna Sabalenka has been drawn in the Purple Group with fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, fifth seed Elena Rybakina, and seventh seed Zheng Qinwen.

In the Orange Group, second seed Iga Swiatek is joined by third seed Coco Gauff, sixth seed Jessica Pegula, and eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova.

The round-robin stage begins at the King Saud University Indoor Arena on Saturday, November 2. On Friday, November 8, the top two players from each group will play in the semifinals, with the finals set for a day later.