"We always try to qualify. We were maybe 13, 12 in the Race before" - Jabeur not surprised with herself, Pegula, Gauff and Kasatkina debuting at WTA Finals

Ons Jabeur was not surprised to see herself, Gauff, Pegula and others qualify for the WTA Finals for the first time as they were always close.

The debutants at the events all played strong seasons qualifying comfortably for the event. Gauff and Jabeur played in grand slam finals this year so their place was certainly earned and it didn't surprise the Tunisian who admitted they were always close:

"I feel like even the first time the players that have played the first time here, they were pretty consistent the last few years. You can take Jess, Coco, me. We always try to qualify. We were maybe 13, 12 in the Race before."

She continued:

"Nobody saw the changes coming because of COVID and the ranking [freeze], so I feel like the change happened way before. But since the rankings stopped for a while, people didn't see it. Those players are here. They were the players consistent for a few years already."