Aryna Sabalenka’s grip on women’s tennis tightened further as the world number one was voted the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Player of the Year for the second successive season.
At 27, Sabalenka has become the benchmark for excellence. Her 2025 season stood out not just for the silverware collected, but for the consistency with which she imposed herself across surfaces, continents and pressure moments. Four titles, a tour-leading nine finals, and a second consecutive year finishing as world number one tell a story of sustained dominance rarely seen in the modern women’s game.
The Belarusian captured nearly 80% of the votes cast by the international tennis media, a landslide endorsement that reflected both her results and her commanding presence throughout the year.
Aryna Sabalenka WTA Player of the Year: A Season Built on Power and Consistency
Sabalenka’s campaign was anchored by a historic US Open triumph in September, where she successfully defended her title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final. That victory marked her fourth Grand Slam singles crown and confirmed her ability to deliver on the sport’s biggest stages under the brightest spotlight.
Her season began in authoritative fashion with a title at the Brisbane International in January, setting the tone for what would follow. Sabalenka went on to lift the Miami Open trophy in March and the Madrid Open in May, showcasing her adaptability and physical edge across hard and clay courts. Those victories, coupled with her US Open success, gave her four titles — the most by any player on tour in 2025.
Even in defeat, Sabalenka’s presence in the game was unmistakable. She reached the Australian Open final in January, where she fell to Madison Keys, and followed that up with a run to the French Open final in June, losing to Coco Gauff. In both cases, Sabalenka remained a central figure deep into the season’s most prestigious events, reinforcing her position at the sport’s summit.
Across the calendar year, she compiled a formidable 63–12 win-loss record, numbers that underline not just dominance but durability. Week after week, tournament after tournament, Sabalenka delivered a level of performance that few could consistently challenge.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Historic Numbers and Growing Global Impact
Beyond titles and finals, Sabalenka’s 2025 season was marked by milestones that placed her alongside legends of the game. In July, she became the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to surpass 12,000 WTA ranking points — a statistic that spoke volumes about her sustained excellence over the course of the year.
She spent the entire season ranked world number one, finishing atop the standings for a second straight year. In an era often defined by volatility at the top, Sabalenka provided something increasingly rare: stability. Her ranking was not a fleeting peak, but a position earned and defended relentlessly.
Financially, the season was equally remarkable. Sabalenka earned a record £11 million in prize money, a reflection not just of her on-court success but of her growing stature as one of the sport’s most marketable and influential figures.
Her influence is also extending beyond competitive tennis. On December 28, Sabalenka is set to face Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, in a Battle of the Sexes-style exhibition match. Framed as an effort to “help bring women’s tennis to a higher level,” the event underscores her willingness to use her platform to challenge conventions and generate broader conversations around the women’s game.
While Sabalenka dominated the headlines, the WTA awards also celebrated a range of compelling stories across the tour. Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic was named Comeback Player of the Year after returning to competition following a 13-month break to give birth to her first child. Her successful return at the start of 2025 was widely praised as a testament to perseverance and balance at the elite level.
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko claimed the Newcomer of the Year award after a remarkable rise from outside the world’s top 300 to world number 18 within a single season, one of the fastest climbs on tour. In doubles, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend were voted Team of the Year after securing their second Grand Slam title together, while Anisimova was recognised as Most Improved Player following five final appearances.
The tennis world also saw significant recognition on the men’s side, with Carlos Alcaraz claiming three honours at the ATP Awards, including the year-end world number one accolade, and Jannik Sinner being voted Fans’ Favourite for a third consecutive time.
Yet, amid all the accolades and emerging narratives, 2025 belonged unmistakably to Aryna Sabalenka. Her second straight WTA Player of the Year award was not just recognition of a great season, it was confirmation of a champion who has entered her prime and is shaping an era in women’s tennis with power, precision and unapologetic ambition.
