WTA Finals raises over $40,000 to fight women's cancer

The season-ending WTA Finals continued it's newly-found tradition of raising money towards fighting women's cancers, with $44,800 raised for every ace served during the elite event.

The third annual ACEing cancer campaign saw 198 aces hit during the event, with total donations by the WTA, WTA Charities and Finals sponsor Akron contribute to help raise funds that support underserved women diagnosed with cancers and their families.

“Sooner or later, cancer has a way of touching all our lives,” said Chris Evert, ambassador for the cause. “It was so moving to see the way Cruz Rosa supports women in their time of need – as well as the way the women support each other and I know the WTA family’s donation will make a difference.”

The AKRON WTA Finals donations will also benefit WTA Charities’ ongoing initiative to fund a research grant dedicated to women's cancers. The 2021 grant is in honor of the late WTA legend and Hall of Famer Jana Novotna. Novotna, who died from cervical cancer in 2017 at the age of 49, won the WTA Finals in doubles in 1995, and in 1997 took home both the singles and doubles titles joining Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis as the only other players to win both titles in the same year. Her memory lived on at the 2021 edition with her protégé, Barbora Krejcikova, winning the title in doubles and competed in singles.

Donations are still being accepted for the ACEing Cancer fundraiser. The WTA will select a research grant recipient following the conclusion of the campaign on Dec. 31. To learn more or to make a donation, visit wtatennis.com/aceingcancer.