WIMBLEDON, England -- This year's WTA Finals will be moving from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Indian Wells, California, the organization announced in a series of statements Wednesday.
Riyadh drew criticism when it was announced as the host city in 2024 due to Saudi Arabia's record on human rights. This year's event was slated to be the third and final year for the event in the Middle Eastern country.
There had been multiple reports in recent months that the Finals would be moved following the conclusion of the three-year deal. In a joint statement with the Saudi Tennis Federation, the WTA said it requested to move the tournament early. The Saudi Tennis Federation accepted WTA's proposal, and the two organizations "mutually agreed on the conclusion of the hosting arrangement."