American Women Trying To Accomplish WTA Finals Feat Not Done Since 2002

Updated
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WTA Finals

The WTA Finals are a month away. The event is exclusive to the top eight qualified players. Three Americans have already punched their tickets to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the event. They are Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys.  These three women join Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek as the five on their way.


Three spots remain, and Jessica Pegula, currently in sixth, is in the running for one of them. Pegula has had a great run at the China Open and will play a quarterfinal match against her American compatriot and Billie Jean King Cup teammate Emma Navarro on Friday. Earning more points will help her get there quicker. (Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina are currently also on the fringe and in seventh and eighth positions, respectively.)

If Pegula gets in, the American women will have four of the eight spots locked in. That has not happened since 2002.

Who Were The Four Americans In 2002?

The format has changed over the years, and in 2002, the initial draw was 16 players; however, when the number dwindled to the final eight, USA tennis had Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Monica Seles, and Jennifer Capriati vying for the crown that ultimately went to Kim Clijsters who defeated Serena in the final 7-5, 6-3.

American Women Tennis Roster Is Deep

Keys and Pegula are in their 30s, but Gauff and Anisimova represent the younger generation.

Beyond these four are Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin, Mccartney Kessler, Iva Jovic, Ashlyn Krueger, and Ann Li who are all within the Top 50.

Kenin, Gauff and Keys have won Grand Slams; Anisimova and Pegula are Grand Slam finalists, and everyone else is trying to elevate their game to give themselves opportunities to win Grand Slams.

Gauff is the defending champion. Will she repeat, or will another American win the end of year tournament?