Roddick and Clijsters on Jovic’s Rise, Rune’s Comeback & WTA Finals Concerns

The WTA Finals moves to Charlotte in a shrunken 5-day format while the tour absorbs new financial risk amid years of losses.

• WTA Finals financial risk: WTA is set to operate (not just license) the Finals in Charlotte from 2026, absorbing revenue/expense risk after losing money every year since 2017 except 2022, despite $150M from CVC Capital (final $30M tranche due next year) and a reported ~$15M loss projected for this year's Indian Wells edition.
• Five-day format squeeze: Moving to Charlotte's Spectrum Center forces the event from 8 days to 5, with chairperson Valerie Camillo saying the WTA is examining 'a series of alternate formats' — no decision yet on round-robin vs. knockout or doubles' fate.

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