Jessica Pegula and her compatriot Madison Keys have shared their first reactions to tennis analyst and journalist Ben Rothenberg’s latest report on the WTA’s decision to move the year-end Finals from Saudi Arabia to a new location starting in 2027.
Rothenberg said that although WTA CEO Portia Archer had shown interest in extending the tournament’s run in Riyadh beyond the initial three-year agreement, negotiations between the association and the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation did not go smoothly, with 2026 possibly being the final edition of the WTA Finals in the Gulf.
Furthermore, the report identifies potential host cities for the event from 2027 onward, with Charlotte, North Carolina, leading the discussion. Pegula and Keys were quick to react to the latest developments via social media.
“I obviously kind of knew the three years were going to be up. I’ve been a little informed, but not too much because I don’t think they have any idea where it’s going to be yet,” Pegula said.
“I think it would be a great city to host just because you already have so many fans built in, and I think the city would just be so excited to be able to come out and support WTA,” Keys said.
Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys To Headline the Charleston Open in South Carolina
Pegula and Keys lead the pack of American pros gearing up to play at the WTA 500 Charleston Open in SC. The tournament is the only WTA claycourt event in the USA. Pegula, seeded first for the event, is the defending champion, while Keys also won it in 2019.
Keys will commence her journey in Charleston in R2 against Donna Vekic, while Pegula will take on Yulia Putintseva in her opening match on Tuesday. Both players have received the customary byes in the opening rounds.
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