Alcaraz vs Sinner: The best of 2025 tennis and its key figures

The 2025 Tennis Season: An Unforgettable Year

The 2025 professional tennis season has come to an end, and what a year it was. From the dominance of superstars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, to the rise of figures like Amanda Anisimova and Ben Shelton, and the return of Naomi Osaka to the top, the season had something for everyone. Alcaraz and Sinner dominated the ATP, splitting the four Grand Slam titles, while in the WTA there was greater parity among the elites. Four different players, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, won the titles of the most important tournaments. In addition, throughout the year, both in the ATP and the WTA, there were unexpected victories and captivating stories, which made this season one of the most memorable. Alofoke Deportes presents the award winners who stood out in this exciting year.

ATP Player of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz

The 2025 ATP season was marked by the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner. Although both stood out from the rest, with a minimal difference between them, Alcaraz won the French Open and the US Open, and finished the year as world number 1 for the second time in his career. Sinner, for his part, triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and won the ATP Finals for the second consecutive season.

“I don’t know how one could choose,” declared Chris Evert when unable to decide between the two.

Chris Evert

Despite the technical tie, Querrey and Shriver, along with this writer, gave a slight advantage to Alcaraz, who won six other titles this year, including three Masters 1000. Alcaraz, who also leads the head-to-head record, defeated Sinner in four of their six encounters in 2025.

“Sinner [missing a few months due to suspension] and not finishing as number 1 at the end of the year tipped the balance towards Alcaraz”, said Shriver.

Pam Shriver

Regardless of who deserves this distinction, one thing is for sure: they are the best players in the world and will continue their brilliance in 2026. Even their high-ranking teammates seem to have accepted it.

“They have played at an incredibly high level for a prolonged period,” Alex de Minaur said about Sinner and Alcaraz before his semi-final match against Sinner at the ATP Finals. “We are going to keep improving and waiting for our opportunity.”

Alex de Minaur

WTA Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka

Unlike the ATP, in the WTA there were several candidates for the title. Although the Grand Slams were won by four different players, Elena Rybakina closed the year with the title at the WTA Finals, and others won multiple 1000-level tournaments and competed in the Slams. However, one player stood out above the rest, being the unanimous choice for this award: the world number 1, Sabalenka. Sabalenka won the US Open, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to repeat as champion, and also reached the finals of the Australian Open and French Open, and the semifinals of Wimbledon. In addition, she won three other titles during the year, including two at the 1000 level, and played a total of nine finals. For Shriver, for all these reasons, “she is the clear player of the year.” Even her opponents praised her performance.

“Obviously, she’s number 1 and she’s totally capable of playing incredible tennis, as she did today,” Anisimova said after the US Open final. “I give her all the credit for that. I admire her enormously; she works hard, and that’s why she’s here.”

Amanda Anisimova

Sabalenka won the US Open for the second consecutive year.

Revelation Moment: Madison Keys, Australian Open

Keys, a prodigious talent since the age of 14, seemed destined to win a major title. And she came close on several occasions, reaching the US Open final in 2017. However, despite winning nine WTA titles and staying in the top 20, she couldn’t win when it mattered most. Until this year. Nearing 30 years old, Keys had a bold performance at the Australian Open, defeating five seeded players, including Swiatek and Sabalenka. Finally, Keys lifted her first Grand Slam trophy after an exciting three-set match.

Match of the Year: Alcaraz vs. Sinner, French Open Final

Was there any doubt? The first Grand Slam final between these two great rivals lasted five hours and 29 minutes, becoming the longest final in the history of the French Open and the second longest in a Grand Slam. The match also had one of the most incredible comebacks of all time.

Sinner, playing only his second tournament after a three-month suspension, won the first game in 12 minutes and dominated the first two sets. When it seemed that Sinner was on his way to his fourth Grand Slam title, Alcaraz reacted. Alcaraz forced a fourth set and then saved three championship points before reaching the decisive one. The momentum kept changing in the final set, with both players exchanging incredible points, before Alcaraz won in a tiebreak with a final score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). This match consolidated the legend of the “Big Two” and the rivalry that will mark tennis in the coming years.

Most Improbable Victory: Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai

Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world and ninth alternate for the qualifying phase, needed a miracle to play in the tournament. After a series of withdrawals, Vacherot entered the qualifying phase and needed three sets in both matches to reach the main draw. Somehow, he made it and then did the unthinkable. He defeated one seeded player after another, including Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic. Then, he faced his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in an unexpected final, and finally won, becoming the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title and the Masters champion with the lowest ranking in history. After this fairytale victory, which doubled his earnings, Vacherot climbed in the rankings, finishing the season in 31st place.

Honorable Mention: Victoria Mboko, Canadian Open

The 18-year-old Canadian, ranked 85th in the world and with a wildcard, surprised by defeating four Grand Slam champions to win the 1000-level tournament in her country. This marked her first WTA title and her ranking rose to number 24.

Star Performance of the Year: Taylor Townsend, US Open

Townsend, known for her talent in singles and doubles, as well as her vivacious personality, caught the world’s attention with her incredible game and composure at the US Open. Townsend had an impressive victory over Jelena Ostapenko in the second round, which led to a heated confrontation.

Taylor Townsend defeated Mirra Andreeva, world number 5, at the US Open.

Townsend remained calm during the exchange and then said she wanted her son to be proud of her. Townsend lost in an exciting fourth round against Barbora Krejcikova, but she established herself as a fan favorite.

Doubles Teams of the Year: Glasspool/Cash; Siniakova/Townsend

Glasspool and Cash, the two best doubles players in the world, reached 11 finals in 2025, winning seven titles, including Wimbledon. Siniakova and Townsend continued their successful partnership in 2025 and won their second Grand Slam title together at the Australian Open. They also reached the US Open final, the Wimbledon semi-finals and the final of the year-end Finals, and lifted the trophy together at the 1000-level event in Dubai.

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A post shared by Katerina Siniakova (@siniakovakaterina)

Honorable mention: Christian Harrison and Evan King

Comeback Player of the Year: Belinda Bencic

Bencic returned to competitive tennis in October 2024, six months after giving birth to her daughter Bella. Bencic, 28 years old, played exclusively ITF and 125-level events for the rest of the year and then made her official return to the circuit in early 2025. A few weeks after starting the season, she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and then won the title at the 500-level Abu Dhabi Open in February. At the end of the season, she had recorded a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon, for the first time in her career, and had won another title at the Pan Pacific Open in October. She started the year ranked number 489 and finished at number 11.

Amanda Anisimova had a breakthrough year, reaching the final at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

More Improved: Amanda Anisimova

Anisimova, a strong candidate for Player of the Year, more than met the high expectations placed on her. The 24-year-old American, who took an eight-month break from the sport in 2023 for her mental health, won the most important title of her career at the Qatar Open level 1000 in February and entered the top 20 for the first time. Anisimova found her rhythm on grass, reaching the final at the Queen’s Club and then achieving a memorable victory over Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semi-finals and reaching her first Grand Slam final. She lost, shockingly, to Swiatek, but got her revenge at the US Open. At the end of the year, she had won another level 1000 title at the China Open, qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time (where she reached the semi-finals) and now has a career-high ranking, number 4 in the world. What a year, indeed. Honorable mention: Learner Tien Tien, 19 years old, also had a monumental season. The American, ranked 121st in the world, went through the qualifying rounds to debut in the main draw at the Australian Open, and what a debut. In the second round, Tien defeated former world number 1 Daniil Medvedev, winning the 10-point tiebreak in the fifth set. After defeating Corentin Moutet in the third round, Tien became the youngest male player to advance to the fourth round in Melbourne since Rafael Nadal in 2005. He would end the year with his first ATP title at the Moselle Open and closed the season with a new career-high ranking, number 28.

Most Challenging Players at Age: Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams

Djokovic, 38 years old, is undoubtedly still the third-best male player in the world. Focusing on the most important tournaments, hoping to achieve an elusive and record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic reached the semi-finals in all four tournaments of 2025, but couldn’t solve the puzzles that are Alcaraz and Sinner. Nevertheless, he won two titles this season, bringing his career total to 101.

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And then there’s Williams. At 45, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion made her return to tennis this year at the Citi Open after a 16-month break. With a win over Peyton Stearns in the first round, Williams became the oldest player to win a singles match at tour level since Martina Navratilova in 2004. Williams lost in the first round in a fierce three-set battle against Karolina Muchova, but then had a magical run in the quarterfinals in doubles with her partner Leylah Fernandez. And, improbable as it seems, Williams isn’t done yet. Earlier this month it was announced that he had accepted an invitation to play in Auckland in January, marking his 33rd year on the circuit as a professional tennis player.