Regal in Riyadh: Sabalenka, Swiatek and all the WTA Finals stars get glam for iconic photo shoot

Shot by New York-based photographer Jingyu Lin, this year's elite eight posed in the historic district of Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Nov 01, 2024

Ranking the Top 8 at WTA Finals Riyadh | TC Live

The WTA Finals' singles and doubles competitors are stylin' in Saudi Arabia.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, defending champion Iga Swiatek and the rest of the stars of the season-ending championships stepped out in Riyadh on Thursday for the traditional pre-tournament photo shoot and gala, and their looks did not disappoint.

Shot by New York-based photographer Jingyu Lin, this year's 24 players—eight singles competitors and eight doubles teams—posed in the historic district of Diriyah, wearing garments from some of the world's most recognizable designers, and additional jewelry provided by 4element.

Zheng Qinwen dubbed her red Christian Dior dress "outstanding," while Coco Gauff opted for a one-shoulder, blush pink gown from Saudi-born designer Yousef Akbar. Elena Rybakina wore Elie Saab, while Jasmine Paolini opted for a sand-colored high-neck gown by fellow Italian Brunello Cucinelli.

Advertising

There’s only one Diriyah ✨

There will be only one singles champ 🏆#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/njWzh6HGkZ
— wta (@WTA) November 1, 2024

The Olympic gold medalist gave rave reviews to her peers' looks, too—but one in particular stood out, she said on Friday's media day.

"I remember the Chinese fans, we say Jasmine Paolini also looking really good sitting by that chair," Zheng said of the her fellow first-time WTA Finals competitor.

But how did they get that way? See more snapshots from how the players got glammed up for the photo shoot below.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka wore an off-the-shoulder number by Australian designer Christopher Esber.

Advertising

Defending champion Iga Swiatek opted for a demure powder blue gown after wearing a statement-making red dress last year.

Smile, Coco! Gauff was in good spirits even in the beauty suite.

Confident now in photo shoots, Zheng confesses: "Not when I was 19 years old. ... Right now it's very flow, like I'm on the tennis court."

Advertising

Competing for the first time since the US Open, Elena Rybakina wore a piece by Lebanese designer Elie Saab for the shoot.

"It's amazing to be here," Paolini said Friday. "I'm trying to enjoy every moment."

But first, coffee. Take it from US Open finalist Jessica Pegula.

Advertising

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova qualified for Riyadh by virtue of winning her second major.

Never a bad time for a selfie, say Wimbledon champions Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.

Paolini pulled double duty at the photo shoot, as she's also qualified in doubles with Sara Errani.

Advertising

The action at King Saud University in Riyadh kicks off on Saturday, with Sabalenka facing Zheng and Rybakina taking on Paolini in singles action. In doubles, Siniakova and Townsend will face US Open winners Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko, while Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens take on Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez.

Advertising

Baseline