The 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh shine as a grand spectacle, boasting a jaw-dropping total prize commitment of $15,500,000, a fortune that mirrors the prestige of the season’s final battleground. An undefeated champion can pocket a staggering $5,235,000, solidifying the event as one of the richest in women’s sport. Every elite contender earns a base appearance fee, with each victory stacking their fortune higher. But here’s the twist: what if someone earns big without even stepping on court? Strange, isn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what unfolded in Riyadh, as several WTA stars banked $150k each without playing a single match at the Finals.

As one of the two singles alternates, Ekaterina Alexandrova stands ready on the sidelines, poised to seize any opportunity that arises. Fresh off a breakthrough season, cracking the world’s top 10, making deep Grand Slam runs, and lifting her fifth career title, she now waits for a chance to join the WTA Finals battle if any of the top eight withdraw. It’s a unique position; she must stay sharp, trained, and tournament-ready, yet she may never actually play. Still, the financial cushion softens the wait. Alternates who don’t feature in a single match earn $150k, while those who play one match receive $210k, and those who contest two round-robin matches walk away with $260k.

Alexandrova stands as the second alternate this year, just behind world No. 9 Mirra Andreeva, who has already qualified for the doubles event alongside her compatriot Diana Shnaider. This dual presence allows Andreeva to collect both her doubles prize money and the $150k alternate appearance fee, with potential earnings increasing if she’s called upon to replace a player in singles. It’s a rare luxury, earning while waiting, and both Russians are making the most of the opportunity.

While Andreeva competes on court in doubles, Alexandrova has been seen enjoying the spectacle from the stands at the King Saud University Indoor Arena. The world No. 10 watched Iga Swiatek’s dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Madison Keys on day one, soaking in the atmosphere of the year’s grand finale. She wasn’t the only alternate relishing the moment; Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic, the first doubles alternate with partner Anna Danilina, has mirrored her approach. Krunic and Danilina earn $62k each in appearance fees, and Krunic was spotted courtside with her mother, embracing the energy of Riyadh.

But the alternates’ duties extend beyond simply observing. They must train rigorously, stay ready, and keep their competitive fire alive in case opportunity knocks. At any moment, a withdrawal could thrust them into the spotlight. It’s a strange balance of patience and pressure, waiting in the wings yet staying battle-ready.

Last year’s WTA Finals offered a vivid reminder of that unpredictability. Emma Navarro declined the first alternate position, prompting Daria Kasatkina to step up as the top reserve and Danielle Collins to take the second spot. When Jessica Pegula withdrew with a knee injury, Kasatkina was called to action, facing Iga Swiatek in a tough group-stage clash. She lost 6-1, 6-0, but her participation underscored the importance of readiness, even in the uncertain world of alternates.

Meanwhile, the main draw has already witnessed fireworks. Swiatek stormed through Madison Keys with commanding authority, while Elena Rybakina dispatched debutant Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-1 in just 57 minutes. Aryna Sabalenka, already crowned year-end World No. 1, followed suit with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jasmine Paolini. The stage is set, and the rhythm of Riyadh hums with elite brilliance.

Yet, amid all the action, Mirra Andreeva quietly reflects on what could have been. Now, as an alternate and doubles contender, she stands at the edge of greatness, waiting, watching, and learning, knowing that sometimes, even in silence, destiny prepares its next move.

Mirra Andreeva addresses Tokyo Open withdrawal amid visa rumors

Rumors flew fast and wild as Mirra Andreeva’s sudden Tokyo Open withdrawal sparked whispers across the tennis world. Fans and media alike speculated visa issues were to blame, especially with the Race to Riyadh entering its most dramatic stretch. The missed stop proved costly; Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina leaped ahead, pushing the teenager into the alternate seat for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

But Andreeva has finally broken her silence, setting the record straight with grace and honesty. Speaking to AFP, the 18-year-old made it clear her absence had nothing to do with paperwork or travel restrictions. “We just had a talk with our team and we decided to skip the tournament. In the end, it turned out to be a wrong decision,” she admitted with refreshing candor.

Her words carried the weight of experience beyond her years. “I guess with experience we’re just learning,” she reflected. “This is just my, not even a second full year on the WTA Tour, so I think we’re just going to learn from this, we’re going to get more experience from this and next time I think we’re not going to make that mistake again.”

It was a moment of rare vulnerability, peeling back the layers of a young star learning the balance between ambition and strategy. Every decision in a season this long, every skipped match, comes with consequences that can shape a career.

Now, as the WTA Finals roar to life in Riyadh, Mirra remains the story caught between heartbreak and hope. The question lingers like a drumbeat: will she finally get her shot to play a single match this time?