The 2025 Tennis Season: An Unforgettable Year
The 2025 professional tennis season has come to an end, and it has undoubtedly been a memorable year. From the dominance of stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka, to the emergence of new talents and the return of prominent figures, this season offered excitement for all fans.
Alcaraz and Sinner dominated the ATP, splitting the four Grand Slam titles, while in the WTA the competition was more fierce. Four different players won the most important tournaments: Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka. In addition, both in the ATP and the WTA, there were surprising victories and captivating stories that made this season something special.
Here’s an analysis of the most outstanding awards of the 2025 season.
ATP Player of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz
The 2025 season in the ATP was marked by the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner. Although both stood out, with a considerable point difference between Sinner (number 2) and Alexander Zverev (number 3), the competition between them was intense. Alcaraz won the French Open and the US Open, finishing the year as number 1 for the second time in his career. Sinner, for his part, triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and won the title at the ATP Finals for the second consecutive time.
I don’t know how one could be chosen.
Chris Evert
Faced with the difficulty of choosing, a tie was declared between Alcaraz and Sinner, although a slight advantage was given to Alcaraz due to his six additional titles, including three Masters 1000. Alcaraz also leads in the head-to-head record, having defeated Sinner in four of their six encounters in 2025.
Regardless of who deserves the recognition, it is undeniable that they are the best players in the world and are expected to continue their brilliant performance in 2026.
WTA Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka
Unlike the ATP, there was greater diversity among the winners in the WTA. Sabalenka, however, stood out by maintaining the top spot in the rankings throughout the season. She won the US Open, repeating as champion, and reached the finals of the Australian Open and the French Open, as well as the semifinals of Wimbledon. She also won three other titles, including two at the 1000 level, and participated in nine finals.
Sabalenka was the unanimous choice for this award, solidifying her position as the most outstanding player of the year.
She is the player of the year without a doubt.
Pam Shriver
Revelation Moment: Madison Keys, Australian Open
Keys, a talented player who debuted as a professional at 14 years old, was close to winning a Grand Slam title on several occasions. In 2025, about to turn 30, she had an outstanding performance at the Australian Open, defeating five seeded players, including Swiatek and Sabalenka. Finally, Keys won her first Grand Slam trophy after an exciting three-set final.
Match of the Year: Alcaraz vs. Sinner, French Open Final
The first Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner 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 was full of emotions and had an incredible comeback by Alcaraz.
Sinner, after a suspension, won the first two sets, but Alcaraz reacted and forced a fourth set, saving championship points. The match was decided in a tiebreak of the fifth set, with Alcaraz taking the victory. This triumph consolidated the rivalry between both players.
Most Improbable Victory: Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai
Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world, managed to reach the main draw of the Masters 1000 tournament after a series of withdrawals and a successful qualifying phase. He defeated several seeded players, including Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic, and then his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final. This historic victory made him the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title and the Masters champion with the lowest ranking in history.
After this victory, Vacherot moved up in the rankings and finished the season in 31st place.
Special Mention: Victoria Mboko, Canadian Open
Mboko, 18 years old and ranked 85th, surprised everyone by winning the 1000-level tournament in her home country, defeating four Grand Slam champions. This was her first WTA title, and her ranking rose to 24th.
Star of the Year: Taylor Townsend, US Open
Townsend, known for her talent in singles and doubles, captivated the world with her game and composure at the US Open. She had an impressive victory over Jelena Ostapenko and her reaction to the subsequent confrontation went viral.
Despite losing in the fourth round, Townsend became a fan favorite, and her presence has been notable ever since.
Doubles Team of the Year: Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash; Katerina Siniakova and Taylor 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, winning their second Grand Slam title together at the Australian Open.
Special mention for Christian Harrison and Evan King, who won three ATP titles in their first year as a team.
Comeback Player of the Year: Belinda Bencic
Bencic returned to competition in October 2024, six months after giving birth to her daughter. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, won the Abu Dhabi Open and reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
He also won another title at the Japan Open in October. He started the year in 489th place and finished in 11th place.
More Improved: Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova had an exceptional year, being a candidate for Player of the Year and excelling in several tournaments. She won the title at the Qatar Open and reached the top 20 for the first time. She reached the final at Queen’s Club and surprised by defeating Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semi-finals, reaching her first Grand Slam final. Although she did not win the title, she got her revenge at the US Open.
Anisimova finished the year with another 1000-level title at the China Open, qualifying for the WTA Finals for the first time and reaching number 4 in the world.
Special Mention: Learner Tien
Tien, 19 years old, had an outstanding season. At the Australian Open, after overcoming the qualifying rounds, he defeated Daniil Medvedev and became the youngest player to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
He also defeated Zverev at the Mexican Open and won his first ATP title at the Moselle Open, finishing the year in 28th place.
Players Who Defied Age: Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams
Djokovic, at 38 years old, remains one of the best players in the world, reaching the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams and winning two titles in 2025. Williams, at 45 years old, returned to tennis after a break and competed remarkably, demonstrating her passion for the sport.
Williams has confirmed his participation in Auckland in January, marking his 33rd year as a professional.
