The 2025 skilled tennis season is over. This yr has been an excellent yr.
From the dominating performances of superstars like Carlos Alcaraz, Yannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, to the rise of gamers like Amanda Anisimova and Ben Shelton, to Naomi Osaka’s return to the highest, this season really had one thing for everybody.
Alcaraz and Sinner are new to the ATP, and whereas the pair shared all 4 main titles, they have been pretty evenly matched among the many elite ladies’s gamers on the WTA Tour. 4 totally different gamers have gained Slams: Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Sabalenka. And all year long, there have been loads of shocking winners and compelling tales in each the ATP and WTA. All of it mixed to make for a really memorable season.
Who deserves to take house the highest honor? ESPN’s Chris Evert, Sam Querrey and Pam Shriver voted on who will likely be named the ATP and WTA Participant of the Yr. And I could not assist however give just a few extra titles to a few of this yr’s different (maybe barely tougher to quantify) favorites.
ATP Participant of the Yr: Carlos Alcaraz
The 2025 ATP season was outlined nearly solely by two males and their rivalry: Alcaraz and Sinner. And whereas these two stand out from the remaining, there may be extra distance between second-place Sinner and third-place Alexander Zverev (6,340 factors) than there may be between Zverev and the 1,000th-ranked participant on the earth (5,145 factors), however the distinction between the large two was nearly negligible. Alcaraz gained the French Open and the US Open and completed the yr in first place for the second time in his profession, whereas Sinner gained the Australian Open and Wimbledon and completed the yr along with his second consecutive ATP Finals title.
In reality, the distinction was so small that Evert stated he could not select between the 2 and declared it a draw. “I do not understand how to decide on one,” she stated.
However Querrey and Schreiber (and I) felt in a different way, finally giving Alcaraz a slight edge. Alcaraz gained six titles this yr, together with three on the Masters 1000 event. Alcaraz, who additionally leads his profession in head-to-head matches, defeated Sinner in 4 of their six conferences in 2025.
“I used to be going to award the joint ATP Participant of the Yr award to each Sinner and Alcaraz, however I do not suppose Sinner was capable of end as a result of he missed just a few months because of suspension and the No. 1 participant on the finish of the yr gained momentum in direction of Alcaraz,” Schreiber stated.
No matter whether or not you imagine Alcaraz and Sinner deserve this fully arbitrary distinction, one factor is for positive: they’re the perfect gamers on the earth and will proceed their collective brilliance in 2026.
His higher-ranking colleagues appear to have accepted that, too.
“They have been taking part in at an extremely excessive stage for a protracted time period,” world No. 7 Alex de Minaur stated of Sinner and Alcaraz forward of their match in opposition to Sinner within the ATP Finals semifinals. “We’ll proceed to enhance and look ahead to alternatives.
“No less than I hope they do not present up each day of the yr, proper?”
WTA Participant of the Yr: Aryna Sabalenka
There was little drama on the ATP facet, however there have been a number of ladies who have been being thought-about for the title this yr, at the very least by way of narrowing it down to 2. Not solely did 4 totally different gamers win main tournaments, Elena Rybakina ended the yr by profitable the title on the WTA Finals, however others additionally gained a number of 1000-level tournaments and competed in main tournaments.
However nonetheless, regardless of being evenly matched on the prime of the WTA, one girl barely edged out the remainder of the group and was unanimously chosen for the award. After all, it was world No. 1 Sabalenka, who maintained her prime rating all season. She gained the US Open, turning into the primary girl to win it once more since Serena Williams greater than a decade in the past, and likewise reached the Australian Open and French Open finals, in addition to the Wimbledon semifinals. To not point out, she gained three different titles that yr, together with two on the 1000m stage, and competed in a complete of 9 finals.
Had Sabalenka performed within the event, she would have been the favourite, not only a contender. For all of those causes, “she’s clearly the participant of the yr,” in accordance with Schreiber. And this yr even her opponents praised her.
“Clearly, she’s primary and he or she’s very able to taking part in nice tennis like she did immediately,” Anisimova stated after the US Open ultimate. “I give her all of the credit score. I’ve lots of respect for her. She works exhausting, and that is why she’s right here.”
The (long-awaited) breakthrough second: Madison Keys, Australian Open
A prodigious expertise who turned skilled on the age of 14, Keys appeared destined for a significant title for a lot of the early a part of his profession. And he or she got here nearer. She reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in 2015 and was runner-up on the 2017 U.S. Open. Nevertheless, regardless of profitable 9 WTA titles and being a mainstay within the prime 20, he was unable to win when it mattered most.
That’s, till this yr. Nearing her thirtieth birthday, Keys put collectively a fearless run on the Australian Open, defeating 5 seeded gamers, together with No. 2 Swiatek within the semifinals and No. 1 Sabalenka within the ultimate. In the long run, Keys lifted his first main trophy after an in depth three-set match. It has been nearly 16 years since he turned professional, and 10 years since he first reached the semifinals.
Match of the Yr: Alcaraz vs. Sinner, French Open Remaining
Was there even a query about this? The primary-ever main ultimate between the fast-rising rivals lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, making it the longest French Open ever and the second-longest main ultimate. It additionally featured probably the most unbelievable comebacks of all time.
Sinner, taking part in his second event since returning after a three-month suspension, gained the primary recreation of the marathon in 12 minutes and was on a roll from then on, profitable the primary two units in a row. Whereas Sinner was on monitor for his fourth Grand Slam title and first Roland Garros title, Alcaraz had different concepts.
That is when the magic occurred. Alcaraz raised his stage and fought off the raucous crowd to power a fourth set and scramble for 3 championship factors en path to the deciding match. The momentum continued to shift within the ultimate set, with each gamers competing for highlight-worthy factors one after one other, with Alcaraz profitable the tiebreak with a ultimate rating of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). It was Alcaraz’s second consecutive French Open trophy and fifth main title, however greater than that, it cemented the legend of the Massive Two and a rivalry that will form the game for years to return.
Essentially the most unlikely victory: Valentin Vacherot, Shanghai
Participated within the Masters 1000 stage occasion at 204th place on the earth rating, ninth alternate Within the qualifying draw, the 26-year-old, who has solely gained as soon as on the ATP Tour in his profession, wanted a miracle simply to play within the event.
Nevertheless, after a lot of withdrawals, Vachelot superior to the preliminary rounds, however wanted three units in each matches to qualify for the primary event. Someway he discovered a approach after which did the unthinkable. He defeated plenty of seeded gamers, together with Alexander Bublik within the second spherical, Holger Ruhn within the quarterfinals, and Novak Djokovic within the semifinals. If that wasn’t sufficient, he confronted his cousin Arthur Rinderknek (who himself was ranked fortieth on the time and was hardly thought-about a title contender earlier than the event started) within the unlikeliest of finals. In the long run, Bachelot gained the household case, turning into the primary Monaco participant to win an ATP title and the lowest-ranked Masters champion in historical past. After the ultimate, a shifting trophy ceremony was held, throughout which the tearful cousins hugged one another and exchanged variety phrases.
“There must be one loser, however I believe there are two winners immediately,” Vachelot stated on courtroom. “One household gained, however I believe this story is unrealistic for the game of tennis.”
Following his fairytale victory, which greater than doubled his lifetime earnings, Vachelot skyrocketed up the rankings. Because of his quarter-final run on the Paris Masters, Vacherot completed the season ranked thirty first and went from being unknown to now a beloved determine within the sport.
Honorable Point out: Victoria Mboko, Canadian Open
The 18-year-old Canadian, who’s ranked eighty fifth on the earth and acquired a wild card to qualify, shocked the sphere by defeating 4 Grand Slam champions on his solution to profitable an area 1000-level event. This was her first WTA title and her rating skyrocketed to twenty fourth place (she completed the season with one other title and a brand new career-high rating of 18th place).
Star flip of the yr: Taylor Townsend, U.S. Open
Lengthy identified to tennis followers for his expertise and bubbly character on the singles and doubles courts, Townsend caught the world’s consideration on the U.S. Open along with his unbelievable poise in addition to his unbelievable play. Townsend, who turned No. 1 within the doubles rankings for the primary time this yr, had a surprising victory over twenty ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko within the second spherical, however a distraught Ostapenko fiercely confronted Townsend after the match, saying, “I’ve no class or training.”
Townsend saved her calm in the course of the trade and later stated he needed to make her younger son pleased with her when he noticed the video.
“I am very robust,” Townsend later informed reporters. “As a Black girl, I am very proud to be right here representing myself and representing us and our tradition. I attempt to do the whole lot I can to be the perfect consultant potential, each on and off the courtroom.”
This trade, and Townsend’s response to it, rapidly went viral, and Townsend’s subsequent match in opposition to fifth-seeded Mira Andreeva turned a high-profile occasion. Townsend fully demolished the teenage phenom in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (Ostapenko later apologized for his remarks.)
Townsend then went on to lose within the fourth spherical to two-time main champion Barbora Krejcikova in a heartbreaking and thrilling ultimate, reaching the doubles ultimate with Katerina Sinakova, however cemented her standing as a fan favourite. Since her New York stint, she appears to be all over the place (from the morning discuss present circuit to vacationing in Osaka).
Doubles Group of the Yr: Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Money. Katerina Sinakova and Taylor Townsend
Glasspool and Money, the highest two doubles gamers on the earth rankings, achieved an astonishing 11 finals appearances in 2025. They gained seven titles, together with one at Wimbledon, making them the primary British duo to take action since 1936. Neither had ever gained a significant, nor had they ever made it previous the quarterfinals.
Sinakova and Townsend, the highest two ladies’s doubles gamers on the earth, continued their partnership in 2025, profitable their second main event title collectively on the Australian Open. Additionally they reached the ultimate on the US Open, the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the year-end championships, and lifted the trophy collectively at a 1000-level occasion in Dubai.
Honorable point out: Christian Harrison, Evan King
Coming into the season, neither Harrison, 31, nor King, 33, had gained an ATP title, however that modified dramatically of their first yr as a staff. This yr, they gained three ATP titles, reached the semifinals at Roland Garros, and have become the primary American duo to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals.
Comeback Participant of the Yr: Belinda Bencic
Maybe the simplest and most evident winner on this checklist, Bencic returned to aggressive tennis in October 2024, simply six months after giving beginning to her daughter Bella. Bencic, 28, competed solely in ITF and 125-level occasions for the remainder of the yr, earlier than formally returning to the tour in early 2025.
It did not take lengthy for her to get issues again on monitor. Just a few weeks into the season, she reached the fourth spherical on the Australian Open, adopted by profitable the title on the 500-level Abu Dhabi Open in February. By the top of the season, she had reached the semi-finals of her profession for the primary time at Wimbledon and gained one other title on the Pan Pacific Open in October. She began this yr ranked 489th and completed eleventh.
Most Improved: Amanda Anisimova
There are profession years and what Anisimova achieved in 2025. He’s a robust candidate for Participant of the Yr, and that is additionally his breakthrough second. and Star-turner Anisimova greater than lived as much as the excessive expectations she had as a junior. The 24-year-old American, who took an eight-month hiatus from aggressive motion in 2023 because of psychological well being causes, gained the largest title of his profession on the time on the 1000-level Qatar Open in February and cracked the highest 20 for the primary time.
However that was just the start. Anisimova made her breakthrough on grass, reaching the ultimate at Queen’s Membership and reaching her first main ultimate with a memorable upset over Sabalenka within the Wimbledon semi-finals. She misplaced badly to Swiatek, however obtained revenge on the US Open. And in New York, Anisimova reached the ultimate once more. Though she didn’t win any trophies, her rating and recognition continued to soar. By the top of the yr, she had gained one other 1000-level title on the China Open, certified for the WTA Finals for the primary time (reaching the semi-finals), and now achieved a career-high world rating of No. 4. What a yr, actually.
Honorable Point out: Lerner Tien
Though it is exhausting to match to Anisimova’s achievements, 19-year-old Tien additionally had a memorable season. The American, ranked 121st on the earth, made it via qualifying and made his fundamental draw debut on the Australian Open – and what a debut it was. Within the second spherical, Tien defeated former world No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, profitable a 10-point tiebreak within the fifth set. Thien defeated Corentin Moutet within the third spherical to change into the youngest male participant to achieve the fourth spherical in Melbourne since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Tien defeated Zverev on the 2025 Mexico Open, turning into the youngest American participant to beat a prime three participant since 2001. Tien ended 2025 by profitable his first ATP title on the Moselle Open and ending the season with a career-high rating of twenty eighth.
This yr’s most ageless gamers: Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams
Djokovic, 38, stays unquestionably the world’s No. 3 male participant, though he’s not fairly as dominant as he as soon as was. Focusing most of his vitality on the majors in pursuit of an elusive record-breaking twenty fifth main title, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all 4 majors in 2025, however was unable to completely resolve the thriller of Alcaraz and Sinner. Regardless of this, he gained two titles this season, bringing his profession complete to an astonishing 101. He has been candid about how his profession is coming to an finish, admitting how troublesome it’s to play within the Massive Two, however hopes to proceed taking part in in 2026.
After which there’s Williams. The 45-year-old seven-time main singles champion made a jubilant and aggressive return to tennis at this yr’s Metropolis Open after a 16-month hiatus that sparked hypothesis of retirement. Together with her opening match win over world No. 35 Peyton Stearns, Williams turned the oldest participant to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004. Williams went on to play within the Cincinnati Open and the U.S. Open, turning into the oldest singles participant to play in the primary draw since 1981.
Williams misplaced within the first spherical in a fierce three-set battle to No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, however magically reached the quarterfinals in doubles with companion Leila Fernandez.
And, nonetheless unlikely it might appear, Williams is not achieved but. Earlier this month, it was introduced that she had accepted a wild card to play in Oakland in January, marking her thirty third yr on tour as an expert tennis participant.
If that does not bode nicely for the 2026 tennis season, you by no means know what’s going to.
