Tennis heats up in November 2025. WTA Finals open today in Riyadh—Gauff eyes repeat amid Saudi controversy. ATP Athens 250 returns after 31 years, Djokovic favored. Paris Masters quarters rage; Metz, Hong Kong, Jiujiang, Chennai roll. Retirements: Kvitová, Garcia, Bouchard bow out. Highlights, previews, fantasy tips.
WTA Finals: Gauff’s Defense Begins
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Top 8 singles, doubles battle Nov 1-8. Round-robin starts Nov 2, 10 a.m. ET. Pots: 1 (No.1-2), 2 (3-4), etc., per 2025 Race points. Aryna Sabalenka (US Open champ) leads qualifiers; Elena Rybakina or Mirra Andreeva grabs last spot—Andreeva edges via Tokyo results.
Gauff (defending): Pressure mounts post-peak 2024. Doubles: US vets Asia Muhammad, others debut. Prize: $15M+ pot. Saudi deal (3 years, PIF-backed) sparks debate—WTA chief Portia Archer: “Respects host values.” Renewal talks post-event.
Schedule: Daily 2 singles RR matches; semis Nov 7-8, final Nov 9? Viewership: ESPN/Disney up 15% YOY.
Fantasy tip: Stash Gauff (title defense +200); stream Andreeva if qualifies (upset value).
ATP Athens 250: Djokovic’s Playground
Nov 1-8, Telekom Center: Greece’s first ATP event since ’94 Athens Open. Novak Djokovic (overwhelming fave, -300) headlines vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas homecoming. Field: Khachanov, Lehecka, Mensik. Draw: Djokovic vs. Q; Tsitsipas vs. wildcard.
Impact: Ranking points pre-Turin ATP Finals (Nov 9-16). Greece buzz: 10K+ expected daily.
Prop bet: Djoker straight sets (-150) R1.
Paris Masters Quarters: Indoor Fireworks
Rolex Paris Masters (Oct 25-Nov 2): QF today—Sinner vs. Draper? Alcaraz eyes semis. Bublik upsets loom. Surface: Fast indoor hard favors Big 3 remnants.
Other: Metz 250 (Nov 3-9)—French hopefuls shine pre-Aus Open. WTA 250s: Hong Kong (Zheng fave), Jiujiang (China swing), Chennai (Sakkari leads).
Retirements Rock Tours
- Petra Kvitová: June 19 annoucement; US Open her swan song. 2-time Wimbledon champ.
- Caroline Garcia: July exit; Montreal finale. 11 singles, 8 doubles titles incl. 2022 WTA Finals.
- Eugenie Bouchard: July retirement; Montreal last dance. 2014 breakout star.
- Akiko Omae: Sept bow; doubles specialist.
Inactives: Sorribes Tormo (mental health break), Tsurenko, Zvonareva. Returns: Buzărnescu (protected ranking, French Q).
US vets debut year-ends: Harrison/King (ATP doubles Turin); Muhammad (WTA doubles Riyadh). Career-bests propel.
ATP Finals Turin Preview
Nov 9-16: Top 8—Sinner, Alcaraz (sweep majors), Zverev, Medvedev, etc. 8th spot: Points leader outside top7. $15.5M pot. Laver Cup vibes with group stage.
Qualifiers: Sinner (AO/FO), Alcaraz (Wim/EO), Sabalenka? Wait, ATP: Alcaraz, Sinner dominate.
Power Rankings Snapshot
ATP: 1. Sinner (Turin lock), 2. Alcaraz, 3. Djokovic (Athens tune-up), 4. Zverev, 5. Medvedev.
WTA: 1. Sabalenka (4 titles), 2. Gauff, 3. Swiatek?, 4. Rybakina/Andreeva battle.
Paris: Indoor edge to servers.
Fantasy & Betting Tips
- Stream: Tsitsipas (home boost, +150 win Athens).
- Avoid: Garcia farewell fades—post-retire slump.
- Prop Bet: Gauff over 20 games won Day 1 (+110).
- Waivers: Muhammad (doubles upside Riyadh).
- MVP Odds: Sabalenka WTA Finals +180; Sinner ATP +200.
November condenses—Finals decide No.1 races. Gauff’s Riyadh start sets tone; Djokovic Athens cruise.
(Word count: 612)