Here’s a question that’ll stump even the most die-hard tennis fans: Who among the WTA’s elite in Riyadh holds the most Finals titles? It’s a surprising answer that most people get wrong. Let’s dive into the story behind this unexpected champion and the partnerships that made it possible.
In the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the tennis world’s brightest stars have gathered for the 2025 WTA Finals. Among them, one player stands out—not just for her skill, but for her remarkable haul of multiple Finals trophies. But who is it? We posed this question to fans, players, and insiders alike, and the results were eye-opening.
But here’s where it gets controversial: The most popular guess was Katerina Siniakova, the Czech powerhouse with 11 Grand Slam doubles titles to her name. Yet, despite her dominance, she’s only secured one WTA Finals title, shared with Barbora Krejcikova in Guadalajara three years ago. Other fan favorites like Iga Swiatek (2023 champion) and Coco Gauff (last year’s singles winner) also have just one title each. Even Elise Mertens, in her seventh Finals appearance, has only one trophy from her 2021 win with Veronika Kudermetova in Fort Worth.
When asked, Kudermetova herself struggled to recall the correct answer. ‘Maybe… it’s Babos!’ she exclaimed after a moment of intense thought. And she was right. Timea Babos, Hungary’s doubles legend, holds three consecutive WTA Finals titles from 2017 to 2019, two with Kristina Mladenovic and one with Andrea Sestini Hlavackova. Her five consecutive qualifications from 2015 to 2019 are a testament to her consistency and skill.
‘Of course I knew that,’ Babos said with a smile. ‘It’s a unique achievement.’ Now, at 32, she’s back in the Finals after a six-year hiatus, this time partnered with Luisa Stefani, who’s making her Finals debut. Their origin story is as unexpected as it is inspiring. After a tough 2024 season marked by injury, Stefani reached out to Babos on a whim, hoping to team up for a tournament in Linz, Austria. Babos, living just two hours away, agreed. ‘Why not?’ she thought. The rest is history.
Together, they stormed through the WTA 500 Linz tournament, defeating top pairs like Siniakova and Zhang Shuai, and eventually clinching the title. Their partnership blossomed, leading to three more titles in Strasbourg, Tokyo, and Stefani’s hometown of Sao Paulo. Their late-season push secured their spot in Riyadh, where they now face a tough opening match against Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
And this is the part most people miss: Their success wasn’t just about skill—it was about honesty. Early on, Babos admits, they were too polite, avoiding direct feedback. ‘But after we started being honest, we solved our problems,’ she explained. ‘We complement each other perfectly. She’s a forehand specialist with incredible net skills, and I’m… well, a bit nuts,’ Babos joked.
Their three championship trophies now sit proudly in Babos’ living room in Hungary, the last one presented by none other than Martina Navratilova, whose name graces the trophy thanks to her record 13 WTA Finals doubles titles. It’s a reminder of the legacy Babos is building—and the partnership that’s redefining doubles tennis.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In a sport where partnerships are everything, what makes Babos and Stefani’s relationship stand out? Is it their honesty, their complementary skills, or something else entirely? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
