New Delhi: Tennis is back with a bang. The season has already resumed from December 27 with the United Cup opening in Perth, Australia, and the tennis world is buzzing with excitement. As players gear up for a thrilling year, the debates over who will dominate the ATP and WTA circuits are heating up.
On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz split the 2024 Grand Slam titles, each claiming two majors but with Alcaraz getting the better of Sinner in their head-to-head encounters. Novak Djokovic might be entering the season feeling the most pressure in ages. It is being assumed that if the former World No. 1 produces another lacklustre season like 2024, he won’t make a return in 2026.
On the women’s front, Iga Swiatek’s remarkable consistency faces a strong challenge from the 2024 World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The rise of emerging stars and strategic coaching shifts only adds to the intrigue, making the upcoming season one of the most anticipated in recent memory. As the stage is set for an unforgettable season ahead let’s check out what to expect from the season.
Who will win more men’s grand slams?
The 2024 ATP Tour was dominated by two standout players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz who split the year’s Grand Slam titles each clinching two majors. The duo faced off in three high-stakes encounters during the season at the Indian Wells and Roland Garros semi-finals and the Beijing final. Alcaraz emerged victorious in all three contests, but Sinner’s year was marked by remarkable consistency, ending with an impressive eight ATP titles.
THIS. IS. TENNIS.
🔥 @janniksin @carlosalcaraz 🔥#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/TrU9ETaB7Y
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2024
As the 2025 season begins, Alcaraz will aim to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, while Sinner looks to defend his Melbourne title. However, Sinner’s preparation is overshadowed by the ongoing WADA appeal which threatens a suspension that could derail his campaign.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. The Serbian legend is also eyeing his 100th career ATP title, having reached the quarter-finals at the Brisbane Open, where he will face France’s Gael Monfils next.
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev had hoped to start the season strong after a challenging 2024, including struggles at Roland Garros. However, an injury at the United Cup has dashed those hopes, leaving Germany’s campaign in disarray. Once a Grand Slam semifinalist, Matteo Berrettini also staged a comeback by leading Italy to its second consecutive Davis Cup title. Inspired by Jannik Sinner’s rise, Berrettini could re-enter the Grand Slam spotlight in 2025, provided he can stay injury-free signalling a resurgence in Italy’s tennis renaissance.
Who will win more women’s grand slams?
Predicting the 2025 women’s Grand Slam landscape requires acknowledging the shifting dynamics of the top players. While conventional wisdom once suggested a triplet division—Swiatek on clay, Sabalenka on hard, and Rybakina on grass but the recent developments point towards a more different picture. Iga Swiatek’s 2024 dominance has shown her as a force on all surfaces including her clean sweep of the hard-court Slams though Roland Garros and Wimbledon remain her major strengths.
However, the rise of Aryna Sabalenka has completely changed this narrative. Sabalenka’s significant improvements across all surfaces challenge the notion of a simple binary between Swiatek on slow courts and Sabalenka on fast. While Swiatek’s clay-court prowess is undeniable Sabalenka has also presented strong performances during the clay swing including runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome, demonstrating her growing comfort on the surface.
For the first time in their rivalry, Sabalenka defeats Swiatek in straight sets! pic.twitter.com/4Cb4mYA3m1
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 18, 2024
The World No.1 near miss at Roland Garros due to illness further underscores her potential on clay. Similarly, Sabalenka has proven herself a formidable grass-court player when she defeated Rybakina at Wimbledon in 2021 and came close to reaching the final in 2023. This challenges the idea of Rybakina’s grass-court dominance.
Sabalenka, having finished 2024 as world No. 1 proves that she isn’t simply relying on power. She has incorporated more variety into her game improving her touch on clay and adopting a more aggressive net-rushing style on grass. This suggests a potential inversion of her major results with stronger performances on clay and grass perhaps even a “Channel Slam” in the upcoming season (winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year).
While pressure might be highest for her on hard courts where she has already won three majors improving her all-around game makes her a contender on every surface. Swiatek’s dominance on clay and Sabalenka’s increasing prowess on all surfaces promise a thrilling rivalry. Could 2025 be the year Sabalenka challenges Swiatek on every surface, or will Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu make a comeback this year?
Rising stars to watch
A new wave of tennis talent is emerging, and their impressive performances in 2024 suggest a promising future for the sport. Among the standout players is Jessica Pegula who finally broke through her Grand Slam quarterfinal jinx by reaching the US Open final where she even triumphed over World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Despite early early-season Pegula’s breakthrough was followed by a WTA 1000 title in Toronto and she ended the season ranked No. 3.
PEGULA PERFECTION 📈
Jessica Pegula hasn’t dropped a single set in the #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/XS5bXtjvrL
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2023
Injuries marred Ons Jabeur’s season but when fit, the Tunisian is a serious contender having reached three Grand Slam finals and ranking No. 2 in 2022. After a challenging year, she’s one to watch in the coming seasons. Similarly, Karolina Muchova made a strong comeback after a wrist injury, reaching the US Open semi-finals and recovering from a low ranking to sit at No. 22.
In Italy, Jasmine Paolini turned out a late bloomer as she stunned the tennis world by winning the WTA 1000 title in Dubai and reaching the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, climbing as high as No. 4. She will be looking to join the ranks of Italy’s Grand Slam champions in the future.
Meanwhile, young male players are making waves. At 18 Martin Landaluce became the fifth Spaniard since 2000 to win a Challenger title, joining the ranks of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien are also making headlines on the Challenger circuit and are expected to break through to the ATP’s elite soon. Gabriel Debru and Alexander Blockx with their remarkable Challenger success are also primed for a breakout year in 2025.
These rising stars on both the men’s and women’s sides are showing incredible promise and shaping the future of tennis. The sport is in good hands with this talented generation.
Shifts in coaching and strategies
The 2025 tennis season promises exciting shifts with new coaching partnerships that will reshape the competitive landscape. Among the most talked-about pairings is unquestionably Novak Djokovic teaming up with Andy Murray. Despite Murray’s lack of coaching experience, Djokovic believes his former rival’s insights as a multiple Grand Slam winner will be instrumental in his quest for a record 25th major title at the Australian Open.
He never liked retirement anyway. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Ga4UlV2kQW
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 23, 2024
On the WTA side, Naomi Osaka’s collaboration with Patrick Mouratoglou is another compelling coaching pair. Returning after motherhood Osaka has shown glimpses of her best and hopes Mouratoglou’s expertise will help her refine her game further. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina has brought Goran Ivanisevic on board seeking to elevate her aggressive playing style under the guidance of the Wimbledon champion-turned-coach.
Coco Gauff has taken significant strides after partnering ways with Matt Daly. With a focus on her serve, the young American ended 2024 strongly winning the WTA Finals and setting the stage for an impactful 2025. Donna Vekic, fresh off a stellar season has enlisted Sascha Bajin to build on her recent success.
Iga Swaitek had hired Wim Fissette as her new coach. Though their partnership began with an unsatisfying exit from the 2024 WTA Finals they will together aim to strike fear into the field with Swiatek’s consistency and Fissette’s records.
Iga Świątek warms up with coach Wim Fissette before her first match of the new season. pic.twitter.com/sEqjD3WZJP
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) December 30, 2024
On the ATP side, other additions include Hubert Hurkacz has welcomed Ivan Lendl as he aims to channel the expertise that once propelled Andy Murray to glory. Carlos Alcaraz has added Samuel Lopez to his team complementing long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero as he seeks to refine his game further.
These strategic shifts highlight players’ determination to maximize their potential and set the stage for a thrilling upcoming season.
The 2025 tennis season is set for thrilling rivalries, rising stars, and exciting coaching shifts. Expect a captivating year of Grand Slam action and new champions. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
