Surprise has become the defining characteristic of the current Hologic WTA Tour season.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka did not achieve her third straight Australian Open victory; instead, Madison Keys secured her first Grand Slam singles title.
Similarly, No. 2 Iga Swiatek`s reign in Doha ended as Amanda Anisimova claimed her first WTA 1000 title.
Elise Mertens, ranked No. 32, triumphed in Singapore, marking her first title in two years. A week later, Anastasia Potapova, also ranked No. 32, won the Transylvania Open, her first victory in two years. McCartney Kessler, starting as No. 67, was a significant revelation, winning in Hobart. Adding to the astonishment, Belinda Bencic became the Abu Dhabi champion less than ten months after giving birth to her daughter Bella.
Surprise indeed!
When Camila Osorio won in Bogota last week, she became the 14th different winner in 18 events this year. Only Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Keys, and Jessica Pegula have secured multiple titles.
As we anticipate the European clay-court season, starting Monday in Stuttgart, let`s examine some of the highlights from the first three months of 2025:
A Teenager Takes Center Stage
Mirra Andreeva stands out for her historic impact. Her dominant performance in Dubai, including wins against Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, made the 17-year-old the youngest WTA 1000 champion in history. She is also the youngest player to break into the Top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007 – the year Andreeva was born.
Andreeva echoed Snoop Dogg’s acceptance speech when receiving a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, stating, “I would again like to thank myself for fighting until the end, for always believing in me, and for never quitting.”
Less than a month later, Andreeva won Indian Wells, defeating Sabalenka in a three-set final. This signals a shift in the tennis landscape with emerging teenage talents. Consider this a warning.
Champions Reel: Mirra Andreeva`s Indian Wells 2025 Victory
The Race to Riyadh
Current Top 10 in the Race to Riyadh: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (3,580), No. 2 Madison Keys (3,069), No. 3 Mirra Andreeva (2,565), No. 4 Iga Swiatek (2,315), No. 5 Jessica Pegula (2,310), No. 6 Amanda Anisimova (1,460), No. 7 Clara Tauson (1,365), No. 8 Emma Navarro (1,352), No. 9 Elena Rybakina (1,320), No. 10 Paula Badosa (1,255).
Before the season, Keys (No. 21), Andreeva (No. 16), Anisimova (No. 36), Tauson (No. 52), and Badosa (No. 12) were all ranked outside the Top 10.
Extreme Tennis
The longest match of the year was between Arantxa Rus and Viktorija Golubic at Cluj-Napoca, lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes. Golubic saved two match points in this epic win. In contrast, Daria Kasatkina’s 6-0, 6-0 victory over Polina Kudermetova in Doha was the shortest at 42 minutes.
Refreshing Perspective
Naomi Osaka`s return to tennis after becoming a mother in 2023 shows promising form. The four-time Grand Slam champion has a 9-4 match record this year, and her candid quotes remain insightful.
“Honestly, I feel pretty optimistic about it,” Osaka said about her tennis after losing to Jasmine Paolini in Miami. “Overall, I kind of told myself, ‘I like my life a lot.’ So there’s not really much to be negative about.”
“Other than that, I can only keep fighting and keep trying my best on the tennis court. And off of it, life is pretty fun.”
Best Bottom-Line Results
Jessica Pegula, the Charleston champion with 25 wins, leads the WTA Tour in victories. A notable achievement few predicted.
Biggest Upset(s)?
Alexandra Eala, a 19-year-old from the Philippines, entered the Miami Open with only two WTA Tour main-draw wins. She then defeated Katie Volynets and Jelena Ostapenko.
Her subsequent matches became even more surprising as Eala defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round, received a walkover against Paula Badosa, and then shocked Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
Despite losing to Pegula in the semifinals, Eala`s ranking soared to No. 75 from No. 140, earning congratulations from Rafa Nadal Academy`s owner, where she trained.
Break-fest in Melbourne
The Australian Open first-round match between Harriet Dart and Jana Fett saw a year-high 19 break points converted.
Coming Up Aces
Aces leaders: Clara Tauson (151), Elena Rybakina (120), and Madison Keys (116).
Aces-per-match leaders: 1. Naomi Osaka (7.08), 2. Alycia Parks (7.07), 3. Clara Tauson (6.57), 4. Linda Noskova (6.41), 5. Zheng Qinwen (5.6).
Eye-opener in Bogota
Julieta Pareja, a 16-year-old American, also made a mark. Qualifying for the Copa Colsanitas main draw, she won three more matches, becoming the first player born in 2009 in a WTA main draw and the youngest semifinalist since 2019.
Match of the Year?
Elena Rybakina saved six match points against Paula Badosa in the Dubai Round of 16, winning 4-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2), setting a new season record for match points saved.
And the Winners Are…
The Auckland match between Clara Tauson (46) and Sofia Kenin (61) had 107 winners, the most this season.
Madison Keys hit an impressive 224 winners at the Australian Open, the most in a single tournament this year.
Shot of the Year
Further explanation unnecessary.
