Tennis 2025: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Reign, Anisimova Surprises and More

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 stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka, to the continued emergence of players like Amanda Anisimova and Ben Shelton, and the return to the top of Naomi Osaka, this season had something for everyone. Alcaraz and Sinner dominated the ATP circuit, splitting the four Grand Slam titles, but there was much more parity among the female elite of the WTA Tour. Four different players: Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka, won the Slams. Throughout the year, both in the ATP and WTA, there were several surprise winners and captivating stories, which combined to make a very memorable season. Alofoke Deportes presents the award winners who stood out in the 2025 season.

ATP Player of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz

The 2025 ATP season was defined almost exclusively by two men and their rivalry: Alcaraz and Sinner. Although both stood out from the rest, with a minimal difference between them, Alcaraz won Roland Garros and the US Open, and finished the year in the number 1 position for the second time in his career. Sinner, for his part, took the Australian Open and Wimbledon, in addition to being crowned at the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year.

“I don’t know how one could be chosen,” commented one of the sources.

Source

Alcaraz, who also leads the head-to-head record, defeated Sinner in four of their six encounters in 2025. Although the distinction is completely arbitrary, it is clear that both are the best players in the world and are expected to continue their collective brilliance in 2026.

WTA Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka

While there was little drama on the ATP side, at least in narrowing it down to two contenders, there were several women who were considered for the title this year. World No. 1 Sabalenka took the US Open, becoming the first woman to repeat as champion since Serena Williams over a decade ago. She also reached the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and the semifinals of Wimbledon. In addition, she won three other titles during the year, including two at the 1000 level, and played in a total of nine finals.

Sabalenka was not only a contender, but also the favorite for the title in every tournament she participated in. For all these reasons, “she is the clear player of the year”.

Revelation Moment: Madison Keys, Australian Open

Keys, a prodigious talent who turned professional at 14, seemed destined to win a Grand Slam title. After reaching her first semi-final in 2015 and being runner-up at the 2017 US Open, Keys achieved a bold run at the Australian Open, defeating five seeded players, including Swiatek and Sabalenka. Finally, Keys lifted her first major trophy after an exciting three-set encounter, almost 16 years after turning professional.

Match of the Year: Alcaraz vs. Sinner, Roland Garros Final

The first Grand Slam final between these two emerging rivals lasted five hours and 29 minutes, becoming the longest Roland Garros final and the second-longest in a Grand Slam. Sinner, playing only his second tournament after serving his three-month suspension, won the first marathon game in 12 minutes and then dominated the first two sets. However, Alcaraz reacted, forcing a fourth set and saving three championship points to finally win in a tiebreak in the final set, with a final score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). This match not only gave Alcaraz his second consecutive title at Roland Garros and his fifth Grand Slam title, but also consolidated the legend of the “Big Two” and the rivalry that seems set to shape the sport for many years.

Most Improbable Victory: Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai

Arriving at the Masters 1000 level event ranked number 204 in the world, Vacherot needed a miracle to be able to play in the tournament. After a series of withdrawals, Vacherot managed to enter the qualifying rounds and then defeated seeded players, including Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic. In the final, he defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, and became the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title, as well as the Masters champion with the lowest ranking in history.

Honorable Mention: Victoria Mboko, Canadian Open

With a world ranking of number 85 and receiving a wildcard, the 18-year-old Canadian surprised everyone by defeating four Grand Slam champions and winning 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 play and composure at the US Open. Townsend had an impressive victory over Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. The interaction, and Townsend’s reaction to it, went viral, which turned her next match against Mirra Andreeva into a must-see event. Townsend delivered a masterful performance in front of a passionate crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Townsend reached the doubles final with Katerina Siniakova, but she solidified her status as a fan favorite. Since her participation in New York, she has been everywhere.

Year’s Doubles Teams: Glasspool/Cash and Siniakova/Townsend

Glasspool and Cash, the world’s two highest-ranked doubles players, reached 11 finals in 2025. They won seven titles, one of them at Wimbledon, becoming the first British pair to achieve this since 1936. 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 final of the US Open, the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the final of the year-end Finals, and lifted the trophy together at the 1000-level event in Dubai.

Honorable Mention: Harrison/King

This American couple won three ATP titles and reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros.

Comeback Player of the Year: Belinda Bencic

Bencic returned to competitive tennis in October 2024, just six months after giving birth to her daughter Bella. Bencic reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and won the title at the Abu Dhabi Open in February. At the end of the season, she had recorded a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon and had won another title at the Japan Open in October. She started the year ranked number 489 and finished at number 11.

Most Improved Player: Amanda Anisimova

Anisimova, a strong candidate for Player of the Year, lived up to 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 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 achieved a memorable victory over Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semi-finals and reached her first Grand Slam final. In New York, Anisimova reached the final again. Although she didn’t win the trophy, her ranking and profile continued to skyrocket. 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 also had a monumental season. The 19-year-old American reached the second round of the Australian Open, where he defeated former world number 1 Daniil Medvedev. 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. Tien finished 2025 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, remains the third-best male player in the world. Focusing on the Grand Slams, Djokovic reached the semifinals in all four in 2025, but couldn’t decipher the puzzles that are Alcaraz and Sinner. However, he won two titles this season, bringing his career total to 101. Williams, at 45 years old, returned to tennis this year at the Citi Open. Williams competed in the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, where she became the oldest singles player in the main draw since 1981. Williams lost in the first round in a fierce three-set battle against Karolina Muchova, but had a magical quarterfinal run in doubles with her partner Leylah Fernandez. Williams accepted an invitation to play in Auckland in January, marking her 33rd year on the professional tennis circuit.