Surprise has been the main story of the current Hologic WTA Tour season.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world`s number one, didn`t secure her third straight Australian Open title; instead, Madison Keys claimed her first Grand Slam singles victory.
Iga Swiatek, ranked second, missed out on her fourth consecutive 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. A week later, Anastasia Potapova, also ranked No. 32, won the Transylvania Open, her first victory in two years as well. McCartney Kessler, ranked No. 67, was perhaps the biggest surprise, winning in Hobart. Adding to the astonishing results, Belinda Bencic became the champion in Abu Dhabi less than a year 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 won multiple titles.
As we anticipate the European clay-court season starting Monday in Stuttgart, let`s review some of the highlights from the first three months of 2025:
A Teenager Takes Center Stage
In terms of significant impact, Mirra Andreeva is the standout. The 17-year-old dominated in Dubai, defeating Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, becoming the youngest WTA 1000 champion ever. 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 he received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, saying, “I would like to thank myself again for fighting to the end, for always believing in myself, and for never giving up.”
Less than a month later, Andreeva won Indian Wells, coming back to defeat Sabalenka in a three-set final. It`s a changing landscape in women`s tennis, with more rising teenagers to watch. Consider this a warning to the established players.
The Race to Riyadh
Current Top 10 in the Race to Riyadh: 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).
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, where Golubic saved two match points for a dramatic win. The shortest completed match was Daria Kasatkina’s 6-0, 6-0 victory over Polina Kudermetova in Doha, which took only 42 minutes.
Gallery: Check out all the three-hour matches of 2025
A Fresh Outlook
Naomi Osaka, after taking 2023 off to become a mother, is showing a return to form. The four-time Grand Slam champion has won nine of 13 matches this year, and her insightful quotes remain as sharp as ever.
“Honestly, I feel pretty optimistic about it,” she said about her tennis after losing to Jasmine Paolini in Miami. “Overall, I’ve told myself, ‘I really like my life.’ So, there’s not much to be negative about.”
“Besides that, I can just keep fighting and trying my best on the tennis court. And off the court, life is pretty fun.”
Top Performers
Jessica Pegula, the Charleston champion, leads the Hologic WTA Tour in wins with 25. Those who predicted her success deserve recognition.
Biggest Upsets
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, followed by Jelena Ostapenko.
Her next matches became even bigger surprises. Eala defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round. After a walkover against Paula Badosa, she 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 Battles in Melbourne
The Australian Open first-round match between Harriet Dart and Jana Fett saw 19 break points converted, the most this year.
Ace Leaders
The top ace servers are: Clara Tauson (151), Elena Rybakina (120), and 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, another talented teenager, made her mark. The 16-year-old American qualified for the Copa Colsanitas main draw and won three more matches. She is the first player born in 2009 to compete in a WTA Tour 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). This is the most match points saved by any player this season.
High Winner Count
The match between Clara Tauson (46) and Sofia Kenin (61) in Auckland featured 107 winners, the highest in any match this season.
Madison Keys hit an impressive 224 winners at the Australian Open, the most by any woman in a single tournament.
Highlight Reel Shot
No further explanation needed!
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth