The second WTA 250 tournament of the 2025 season will take place at the Hobart International, and the prize money distribution for the event has been released.
This year's Hobart International, which runs from January 6th to 11th, features some significant women's tennis figures, including former US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
The Adelaide International, a WTA 500 tournament, will occur simultaneously with the Hobart International. Stephens would usually play in the higher-level tournament with more significant rewards.
A challenging second half of 2024 caused Stephens to slip down the rankings, leading to unpleasant comments from some who said she should retire. The American responded to the criticism by reminding them of the financial rewards of continuing to play.
Emma Navarro won her first WTA title at last year's Hobart International. However, the US Open semifinalist has chosen not to compete at the 2025 tournament to prepare for the Australian Open.
The Hobart International was first played in 1994. Kim Clijsters, Petra Kvitova, Elena Rybakina, and Kenin are among the former champions of the tournament, which has been held every year since 1994 except in 2021 and 2022.
Although the financial rewards are not as lucrative at the Hobart International compared to Adelaide International because the tournament in Adelaide has WTA 500 status, there is still good prize money on offer in Hobart. The players will compete for their share of $275,094.
This year's Hobart International champion will receive $36,300 and 250 ranking points for that achievement. That is a considerable reward, and Navarro might have been tempted to play again to try to win that substantial sum.
Elise Mertens, the No. 2 seed in the draw at this year's ASB Classic, was the runner-up to Navarro last year. The Belgian lost a dramatic final 7-5 in the third set after a captivating battle filled with twists and turns.
Mertens would receive $21,484 and 163 ranking points for replicating that achievement this year. Eugenie Bouchard, who agreed with a comment about Nick Kyrgios about doping cases, is among the former runner-ups at the Hobart International.
Daria Saville and Yuan Yue lost in the 2024 semifinals. Saville, a wild card at the event, came close to beating Mertens but lost a tight deciding set. The defeated semifinalists will receive $11,970 and 98 ranking points this year.
Lower-ranked players who reach the quarterfinals of a WTA 250 tournament, like Hobart International, could significantly rise in the rankings. Four women will receive 54 ranking points and $6,815.
16 players will reach the second round of the Hobart International. None of this year's seeds are guaranteed a place in the round of 16 with byes, meaning all the players must fight for the 30 ranking points and $4,160 given at that stage.
The women who lose in the opening round will still collect $2,975 for qualifying for the main draw. However, they will only get one ranking point for failing to win a match at the Hobart International.
2025 Hobart International WTA Prize Money & Ranking Points Overview:
| Points | Prize Money | |
| Winner | 250 points | $36,300 |
| Finalist | 163 points | $21,484 |
| Semi-finalists | 98 points | $11,970 |
| Quarter-finalists | 54 points | $6,815 |
| 2nd round | 30 points | $4,160 |
| 1st round | 1 point | $2,975 |
