Aryna Sabalenka, 25, Belarus
Seed: 1
Best WTA Finals performance: Runner-up (2022)
2024 titles: 4
2024 win-loss: 54-12
With two Grand Slams and more ranking points than anyone else, she has been the season’s standout player. A first WTA Finals title will cap it.
Jasmine Paolini, 28, Italy
Seed: 4
Best WTA Finals performance: Debut
2024 titles: 1
2024 win-loss: 37-17
Late-bloomer Paolini, also competing in the doubles, has enjoyed the season of her life. Having never previously made a Slam third round, she won a first WTA 1,000 title in Dubai before reaching the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
Elena Rybakina, 25, Kazakhstan
Seed: 5
Best WTA Finals performance: Round robin (2023)
2024 titles: 3
2024 win-loss: 41-9
A season of two halves for the 2022 Wimbledon champion, who has struggled throughout with recurring illness. She lost just eight matches in the first six months of the season, but has not played since August.
Zheng Qinwen, 22, China
Seed: 7
Best WTA Finals performance: Debut
2024 titles: 3
2024 win-loss: 47-16
The disappointment of losing her first major final in Melbourne has been offset by winning Olympic singles gold. She goes into the finals having lost four of her past 32 matches.
