Garbiñe Muguruza has addressed the WTA Finals' move from the Middle East to Indian Wells, revealing that safety concerns played a decisive role in the decision. The former world No. 1 is experiencing the prestigious tournament from a different perspective in 2026, having moved from lifting the trophy as a player to overseeing the competition as tournament director.
After two editions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the season-ending championships returned to the United States, with Indian Wells hosting the eight best players of the season. The change represents another relocation for an event that has struggled to establish a permanent home in recent years.
Muguruza, who won the title in Guadalajara in 2021, believes the California venue offers several advantages, particularly because of its familiarity to the players. Many of the qualifiers have already competed there, allowing them to feel comfortable in an environment they know well.
Speaking on Tennis Channel's The Big T Podcast, the Spaniard discussed the relocation, her memories of winning the competition and why she believes the WTA Finals hold a special place in the tennis calendar.
Muguruza addresses WTA Finals move from Middle East
The WTA Finals were staged in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025 before moving to Indian Wells for the 2026 edition. Muguruza acknowledged that the decision to leave Saudi Arabia was influenced by concerns about safety in the region.
"For obvious reasons, we are here because we no longer felt it was safe in the Middle East, and we're very happy to be in Indian Wells," she explained. "We love this place. It's a fan favorite, a player favorite and a staff favorite. Everyone loves it here, so we're just happy about this change."
Another advantage of Indian Wells is that several players already have experience competing at the venue. Muguruza specifically mentioned Mirra Andreeva, who was making her debut at the WTA Finals but had previously enjoyed strong results in California.
The Spaniard believes that familiarity with the courts and surroundings can make a significant difference for players facing the pressure of their first appearance at the season-ending championships.
"I feel like the players feel safe here. It's familiar to them. They know how the ball behaves, the courts and the venue. They're comfortable."
'This is the tournament': Muguruza reflects on WTA Finals triumph
Muguruza knows exactly what it takes to win the WTA Finals, having defeated Anett Kontaveit in the 2021 final in Guadalajara. The Spaniard also competed in the doubles competition during her career, giving her an appreciation of how difficult it is simply to qualify.
Now responsible for overseeing the event, she admitted that winning the trophy remains a special memory and explained why she wants the current generation to understand the tournament's significance.
"I think about it. I think that this tournament is very special. I played it several times in singles and doubles," she said. "It's already very difficult to qualify, then you have to survive the round-robin stage and eventually win the trophy. The matches are so difficult."
For Muguruza, the WTA Finals represent much more than another tournament at the end of the season. She considers them the ultimate opportunity for the best players to demonstrate their level after an entire year of competition.
"I'm very aware of the magnitude of this event and the importance of the WTA Finals. It's like a world championship, with that feeling of being the best at the end of the year," she explained.
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The Spaniard added that communicating that importance to the players is one of her priorities in her new position. "I felt that when I played, and that's what I'm trying to communicate to the players: this is the tournament."
The competition will move again in 2027, with Charlotte set to host the WTA Finals at an indoor venue. Muguruza believes having greater stability could help the event develop further, although she remains focused on making the Indian Wells edition a success.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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