The WTA 500 is a category of professional women's tennis tournaments organized by the Women's Tennis Association. These events offer a total prize money of at least $500,000 and are part of the WTA Tour, which features various levels of competitions. The WTA 500 tournaments attract many top-ranked players, providing them with valuable ranking points. These tournaments are held in various locations around the world, typically on hard courts or clay surfaces. The WTA 500 events serve as important opportunities for players to improve their rankings and gain experience, often leading up to higher-tier competitions like the WTA 1000 and Grand Slam events.