On December 15, 2025, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced the winners of its prestigious annual awards, with Aryna Sabalenka earning the title of Player of the Year for the second consecutive time. This achievement marks Sabalenka as one of only three players in the last 15 years to receive the honor more than once, underlining her exceptional performance throughout the season.
Sabalenka’s year was nothing short of remarkable. With a staggering record of 63 match victories, she also topped the chart with nine finals appearances and secured four tournament titles. Her financial accomplishments were equally impressive, as she set a new benchmark for earnings, surpassing $15 million in prize money. Maintaining her position as the world’s top-ranked player for the entirety of the year, Sabalenka concluded the season ranked first in the WTA rankings for the second straight year, now holding the 12th spot on the all-time list for weeks at No. 1.
In the Doubles category, the award for Doubles Team of the Year went to Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. The pair had a stellar season, highlighted by their victory at the Australian Open, which marked their second Grand Slam title together. Their successful run also included triumphs at prestigious events such as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and a commendable performance at the US Open. This success propelled Townsend to become the world No. 1 in doubles, making history as the first mother to reach this milestone. Siniakova now sits third on the all-time list for weeks at No. 1 in doubles and is tied for the most year-end finishes as top doubles player, matching the legendary Martina Navratilova.
Amanda Anisimova was recognized as the Most Improved Player for her extraordinary rise in 2025. Competing in five finals, she clinched her first titles at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open and the China Open. Her journey also saw her progress to her first Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, marking a significant leap in her career. Anisimova’s remarkable performance throughout the year, including her debut in the WTA Finals and a Top 10 ranking appearance, earned her a nomination for Player of the Year as well, reflecting the high regard for her achievements.
Belinda Bencic was honored as the Comeback Player of the Year after returning to the circuit following maternity leave. After giving birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024, Bencic stepped back into competition at the beginning of the season. Her strong performances included a Round-of-16 finish at the Australian Open and a tournament win at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, where she notably defeated World No. 5 Elena Rybakina. Bencic also achieved a semifinal finish at Wimbledon and capped her season with another title at the WTA 500 Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, marking her tenth career title.
The title of Newcomer of the Year was awarded to 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, who made headlines with her outstanding rise from outside the Top 300 to a ranking of No. 18 by year’s end. Her breakout year started at the Miami Open, followed by significant performances at both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon. A landmark moment came when she secured victory at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Montreal, becoming the second youngest woman in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam champions at a single tournament. She ended her impressive season on a high note with another title at the WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.
The 2025 WTA Awards showcased the remarkable talent and resilience of players who have left an indelible mark on the tour, setting the stage for an exciting future in women’s tennis.
