The 2025 Tennis Season: An Unforgettable Year
The 2025 professional tennis season has come to an end, and it was undoubtedly a memorable year. From the dominance of figures like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka, to the continued rise of Amanda Anisimova and Ben Shelton, and the return of Naomi Osaka, this season offered something for every fan.
Alcaraz and Sinner dominated the ATP circuit, sharing the four Grand Slam titles, while in the WTA there was greater parity among the elite tennis players. Four different players, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka, won the titles of the major tournaments. Throughout the year, both in the ATP and in the WTA, there were surprising victories and captivating stories, which contributed to a very memorable season.
Alofoke Deportes presents a summary of the most outstanding players of the 2025 season, recognizing those who deserved the highest honors.
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 very little difference between them, Alcaraz won Roland Garros 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 finished the year with the title at the ATP Finals for the second consecutive season.
The difference was so minimal that a tie was declared. However, a slight advantage was given to Alcaraz, who won six additional titles, including three Masters 1000 events. Alcaraz also leads the head-to-head record, having defeated Sinner in four of their six encounters in 2025.
No matter who deserves this distinction, both are the best players in the world and should continue their brilliance in 2026.
Alofoke Deportes
Even his elite colleagues seem to have accepted it.
They have played at an incredibly high level for a prolonged period of time. We are just going to keep improving and waiting for our opportunity.
Alex de Minaur
WTA Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka
Although the decision was straightforward on the ATP circuit, there were several candidates for the title in the WTA. Sabalenka, number one in the world throughout the season, won the US Open, repeating as champion, and reached the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, as well as the semi-finals of Wimbledon. She also won three more titles, including two at the 1000 level, and played a total of nine finals. She was the unanimous choice for this award.
She is the clear player of the year.
Pam Shriver
Obviously, she’s number 1 and is totally capable of playing incredible tennis, as she did today. I give her all the credit for that. I admire her enormously; she works hard, and that’s why she’s here.
Amanda Anisimova
Revelation Moment: Madison Keys, Australian Open
Keys, a prodigious talent from a young age, seemed destined to win a Grand Slam title. After reaching her first semifinal in 2015 and being runner-up at the 2017 US Open, she finally achieved victory at the Australian Open. She defeated five seeded players, including Swiatek and Sabalenka, to lift her first major trophy, almost 16 years after turning professional.
Match of the Year: Alcaraz vs. Sinner, Roland Garros Final
The first Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner lasted five hours and 29 minutes, becoming the longest Roland Garros final in history and the second longest in a Grand Slam tournament. The match included an incredible comeback by Alcaraz, who won in a tiebreak for a final score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). This encounter consolidated the legend of the “Big Two” and the rivalry that promises to mark the sport for years to come.
Most Improbable Victory: Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai
Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world and ninth alternate for the qualifying phase, managed to enter the tournament and defeated several seeded players, including Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic. In the final, he defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, winning the title and becoming the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title and the Masters champion with the lowest ranking in history.
After this victory, Vacherot quickly rose in the rankings and finished the season in 31st place.
Honorable Mention: Victoria Mboko, Canadian Open
Mboko, ranked 85th in the world, received a wildcard for the tournament and surprised by defeating four Grand Slam champions, winning the title at home and rising to number 24 in the ranking.
Star Performance of the Year: Taylor Townsend, US Open
Townsend, known for her talent in singles and doubles, as well as her personality, impressed at the US Open. She had a victory over Jelena Ostapenko and, despite the controversy, remained calm. Townsend defeated Mirra Andreeva and solidified herself as a fan favorite, showing great performance and maturity.
Subsequently, Townsend lost in the fourth round, but solidified her status as a fan favorite.
Doubles Teams of the Year: Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash; Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend
Glasspool and Cash reached 11 finals in 2025, winning seven titles, including Wimbledon, being the first British pair to achieve this since 1936. Siniakova and Townsend, for their part, continued their successful partnership, winning their second Grand Slam title together at the Australian Open.
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. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, won the title at the Abu Dhabi Open, and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, finishing the year ranked number 11.
Most Improved Player: Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova had an exceptional year, winning the title at the Qatar Open and entering the top 20. She reached the final at Wimbledon and the US Open, and won another 1000-level title at the China Open, qualifying for the WTA Finals for the first time, reaching the semifinals and reaching the number 4 in the world ranking.
Honorable Mention: Learner Tien.
Most Challenging Players at Age: Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams
Djokovic, at 38 years old, remains the third-best player in the world, reaching the semifinals in all four Grand Slams and winning two titles in 2025. Williams, at 45 years old, returned to competitive tennis, winning a match at the Citi Open and competing in the US Open, demonstrating her love for the sport.
Williams has accepted an invitation to play in Auckland in January, marking his 33rd year in professional tennis.
