Surprise has become the main theme of this early Hologic WTA Tour season.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world`s number one, didn`t secure her third consecutive Australian Open title. Instead, Madison Keys claimed her first Grand Slam singles victory.
Iga Swiatek, ranked second, missed out on her fourth straight Doha win, with Amanda Anisimova taking the WTA 1000 title for the first time.
Elise Mertens, starting at No. 32, triumphed in Singapore, her first title in two years. Similarly, Anastasia Potapova, also ranked No. 32, won the Transylvania Open a week later, marking her first victory in two years. McCartney Kessler`s win in Hobart from the No. 67 spot was perhaps the biggest ranking upset. Adding to the unexpected results, Belinda Bencic became the Abu Dhabi champion less than ten months after giving birth to her daughter Bella.
Surprise!
Camila Osorio`s Bogota title marked the 14th different winner in 18 events this year. Only Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Keys, and Jessica Pegula have won multiple titles.
As we anticipate the European clay-court season starting Monday in Stuttgart, let`s review some highlights from the first three months of 2025:
A Teenager Takes Center Stage
Mirra Andreeva stands out for her historic impact. The 17-year-old`s dominant performance in Dubai, including wins against Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, made her the youngest WTA 1000 champion ever. She`s also the youngest player to break into the Top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007, the year Andreeva was born.
Andreeva humorously echoed Snoop Dogg`s acceptance speech, thanking herself “for fighting until the end and 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. A new era is emerging, with more rising teenagers to watch. Consider this a warning.
The Race to Riyadh
Current Top 10 Race to Riyadh Standings: 1. Aryna Sabalenka (3,580), 2. Madison Keys (3,069), 3. Mirra Andreeva (2,565), 4. Iga Swiatek (2,315), 5. Jessica Pegula (2,310), 6. Amanda Anisimova (1,460), 7. Clara Tauson (1,365), 8. Emma Navarro (1,352), 9. Elena Rybakina (1,320), 10. Paula Badosa (1,255).
Notably, 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 Stats
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 swift 6-0, 6-0 victory over Polina Kudermetova in Doha was the shortest at just 42 minutes.
Gallery: Check out all the three-hour matches of 2025
A Fresh Perspective
Naomi Osaka is showing a return to form after her 2023 season break to become a mother. The four-time Grand Slam champion has a 9-4 match record this year, and her insightful quotes continue to impress.
“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 on.”
“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 Results So Far
Jessica Pegula, the Charleston champion, leads the WTA Tour with the most wins this season. A great call for anyone who predicted her success.
Biggest Upsets
Alexandra Eala, a 19-year-old from the Philippines, entered the Miami Open with only two WTA main-draw wins. She then defeated Katie Volynets, followed by Jelena Ostapenko.
Her subsequent matches were even more surprising. 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, and she received congratulations from the owner of the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Break Point Fest in Melbourne
The Australian Open first-round match between Harriet Dart and Jana Fett saw a year-high of 19 break points converted.
Ace Leaders
Top Ace Servers: 1. Clara Tauson (151), 2. Elena Rybakina (120), 3. Madison Keys (116).
Looking at aces per match provides a clearer picture:
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).
Bogota Breakthrough
Julieta Pareja, a 16-year-old, is another impressive teenager. She qualified for the Copa Colsanitas main draw and won three more matches. Born in 2009, she`s the first player from her birth year to play in a WTA main draw and the youngest semifinalist since 2019.
Match of the Year Contender
Elena Rybakina saved six match points against Paula Badosa in the Dubai Round of 16, winning 4-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2), the most match points saved by a player this year.
Winners on Winners
The Auckland match between Clara Tauson (46) and Sofia Kenin (61) featured 107 winners, the highest in a match this season.
Madison Keys hit an astounding 224 winners at the Australian Open, the most in a single tournament this year.
Shot of the Year
Need we say more?