WTA to Reduce Mandatory Tournaments for Top 50 Players in 2027

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced changes to its 2027 schedule aimed at reducing the number of mandatory tournaments for the world’s top-ranked players.

The decision comes after continued concerns over the demanding tennis calendar and the number of matches elite players are required to play throughout the season.

Under the current rules, players ranked among the world’s top 50 are required to compete in all four Grand Slam tournaments, 10 WTA 1000 events and six WTA 500 tournaments each year.

From 2027, the number of mandatory WTA 500 events will be reduced from six to four.

The WTA will also introduce greater flexibility in how players can earn ranking points. A player will be allowed to replace points from a WTA 1000 tournament with points earned at a WTA 500 or WTA 250 event.

This means players who decide not to participate in a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament will have the option of counting points from a lower-level event toward their ranking instead of potentially receiving no points for that tournament.

The WTA said it will monitor the impact of the changes during 2027 before deciding whether the new measures should continue into 2028.

The move follows a similar decision by the ATP. Earlier this year, the men’s tour reduced the number of mandatory ATP 500 tournaments for players ranked in the top 30 from five to four.

The WTA also announced a change related to prize money at combined events. Starting in 2027, prize money at combined WTA 1000 tournaments will match the prize money offered at the corresponding ATP events.

Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid already provide equal prize money for their combined events. However, tournaments in Rome, Canada and Cincinnati had not previously offered the same level of prize money for the women’s and men’s competitions.