2025: WTA Season Lookback
2025 was a great year for the WTA, with a different winner at the five biggest tournaments of the year, and several breakthroughs for up-and-coming stars. In this piece, Tennis Warehouse looks back at some of the more memorable moments on court from this year.
Melbourne Melodrama
The WTA slam season started off with a raucous tournament down under in Melbourne, with Madison Keys achieving a lifelong dream right after switching out of the racquet she grew up playing with in a Yonex EZONE. Not only did she win her maiden slam, Keys also did so by toppling the world No. 2 and 1 back-to-back in the semifinals and finals, even saving match points in her semifinal match against Iga Swiatek before mounting an epic comeback against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match. In all of her last three matches, Keys came back after losing the first set in all three matches, showing the kind of grit that is well-fitting of a slam champion.
2025 saw some major breakthroughs, both for newer players and those finding their form again. The WTA 1000 season started off with a bang, with Amanda Anisimova announcing herself as one of the forces to be reckoned this year on tour. After capturing the title in Doha, Anisimova of course went on to make back-to-back slam finals in London and New York.
Speaking of back-to-back, how about Mirra Andreeva's maiden WTA 1000 being followed up with the most prestigious non-slam tournament in the regular season? The teen phenom cemented her status not just as one to watch in the future, but also a player you can't miss right here and now with back-to-back titles in Doha and Indian Wells and a doubles title the following week in Miami.
Coco Courts the Clay: a French Love Story
Coco Gauff grew up training on both the Har-Tru green courts of Florida as well as the red dirt over in Europe at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. Though she won her maiden slam on home soil in New York in 2023, Coco Gauff still had plenty of doubters and those prematurely labeling her as a "one-slam wonder." Putting those doubters to rest, Coco fought hard on her way to the title, digging deep against Madison Keys in the quarterfinals and coming back from a set down in the final to become the first American woman since Serena Williams to triumph on the Parisian clay.
London Legend
After losing out on a rare four-peat in Paris a month earlier, Iga Swiatek bounced back in epic fashion on the biggest stage in tennis. Only dropping one set en route to the final, Swiatek decimated Anisimova with only the third 6-0, 6-0 slam final scoreline in WTA history. With this stunning title run, Swiatek became the first woman since Ash Barty to complete a career "surface slam," which is at least one slam on all three surfaces.
Aryna's Arena
Making her third final in as many years in New York City, Aryna Sabalenka asserted herself as the player to beat at any hard court slam. Though she went 0-2 at her first two slam finals of the year, Aryna dug deep to fend off any and all challengers, only dropping one set during her title run and fighting off an inspired Anisimova fresh off her defeat to her in London. With this run Sabalenka not only went back-to-back at a hard court slam for the second time in her career, but she also solidified her ranking as the No. 1 player in the world.
Other WTA breakthroughs
The 2025 WTA season also featured a stunning number of both first time titlists and fan favorites shining brightly, from players making main-draw debuts. Some notable moments include:
Maya Joint in Rabat. The teenager has enjoyed a breakout season, climbing from outside the top 100 to 32 in the world. Should her ranking hold, Joint will be seeded heading into her home slam come January.
Victoria Mboko delivered one of the most surprising and staggering runs in recent memory with her title run at the WTA 1000 in Montreal. The teenager has been one of the most promising young talents in the game, backing up her maiden title with another title run at the Hong Kong Open WTA 500.
Iva Jovic in Guadalajara. One of the more highly touted American prospects, Jovic also captured her first career title, a sign of greatness to come?
And while she didn't return to the winner's circle this year, what a treat it was to see Venus Williams back on a court competing. Venus had some incredible moments this year, like toppling top-40 player Peyton Stearns and making a run to the quarterfinals in New York City alongside Leylah Fernandez in doubles. Whatever the occasion, it is always good for tennis to see that signature twirl lighting up the courts.
