LONDON — The final ball has been struck, the trophies have been lifted, and the world rankings have been frozen. The 2025 tennis season is officially in the history books, and what a season it was. From the relentless duels at the summit of the men's game to stunning comebacks and breakthrough triumphs on the women's side, the past twelve months have delivered drama in spades. Now, with the courts silent, it's your turn to step into the judge's chair. We want your votes in our annual end-of-season tennis awards.
Player of the Year: A Clash of Titans
This category presents perhaps the most tantalizing debate. For the second consecutive year, the narrative was dominated by the electrifying rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, with his breathtaking shot-making and palpable joy, captured his third Wimbledon title in a legendary five-set final against the Italian. However, Sinner's season was a masterclass in consistent dominance. He successfully defended his Australian Open crown, claimed a maiden Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam on his least-favored surface, and ended the year as the undisputed world No. 1. As one analyst put it, "Sinner operates with the ruthless efficiency of a supercomputer, while Alcaraz plays with the inspired chaos of a genius. Choosing between them is choosing between two different definitions of excellence."
Yet, let's not forget the women's tour. Iga Świątek continued her reign with ferocious consistency, adding another French Open to her collection and spending the majority of the year at the top. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff transformed her powerful game to win a thrilling US Open, defeating Świątek in a semifinal epic. The contenders are formidable:
- Carlos Alcaraz: Wimbledon champion, 5 titles, spellbinding entertainment.
- Jannik Sinner: Australian & French Open champion, year-end No. 1, 68-7 match record.
- Iga Świątek: Roland Garros champion, 8 finals, 85% win rate.
Comeback of the Year: Resilience Rewarded
Injuries and setbacks are an unfortunate staple of the sport, making comebacks all the more sweet. The 2025 season offered several heartwarming returns, but one story captured the global imagination: the resurgence of Emma Raducanu. After years plagued by physical issues and fluctuating form following her fairytale 2021 US Open win, Raducanu put together a full, healthy season. She climbed from outside the top 100 back into the top 20, won a WTA 500 event in Eastbourne, and reached the quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Her coach, noted for his understatement, remarked, "The talent was never in doubt. This year was about rebuilding the body and the belief, brick by brick. She's done that."
Other notable returns included Rafael Nadal, who, in what is likely his final season, won an emotional Barcelona Open and pushed the next generation deep into matches on clay. On the doubles court, the reunion of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Šafářová for a final tour run provided nostalgic brilliance. This category celebrates the sheer will required to return to the summit.
Match of the Year: Where Do We Even Begin?
Picking a single match from a year of epics feels almost unjust. Do we choose the raw, tactical brutality of Sinner dethroning Novak Djokovic in a five-set Australian Open semifinal, ending Djokovic's unbeaten streak in Melbourne that spanned over six years? Or the artistic masterpiece of the Wimbledon final, where Alcaraz saved a championship point in the fourth set with an audacious drop-shot-lob combination before prevailing 8-6 in the fifth? The women's tour offered its own classic: the US Open final between Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng, a three-hour, thirteen-minute war of attrition featuring 27 break points and a final-set tiebreak that had Flushing Meadows on its feet.
For pure, unscripted drama, however, the second-round clash at Roland Garros between Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka—two warriors with four metal hips between them—playing a five-set, rain-interrupted epic under the floodlights until nearly 3 a.m. was a poignant tribute to a fading era. Each match represents a different flavor of tennis at its very best.
Breakthrough Star: The New Guard Arrives
While the established stars shone, the next generation announced their arrival with authority. On the men's side, 20-year-old Czech talent Jakub Menšík solidified his promise by winning his first ATP title in Hamburg and reaching the fourth round of three majors. His powerful, aggressive game marks him as a future top-10 staple. For the women, Mirra Andreeva, now 18, transitioned from prodigy to proven contender. She captured her maiden WTA 1000 title in Madrid and reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon, displaying a tactical maturity beyond her years.
American Alex Michelsen also made waves with a surprise run to the Miami Open final, and Brazil's João Fonseca brought samba flair to the tour with his first title on home soil in Rio. This award recognizes the player who most forcefully punched through the ceiling and declared themselves a permanent fixture at the sport's highest level.
Other Categories Needing Your Verdict
- Doubles Team of the Year: Was it the dominant, telepathic partnership of Matthew Ebden and Rohan Bopanna, or the historic all-Czech duo of Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková reclaiming their throne?
- Most Improved Player: Look at Italy's Luca Nardi, who jumped from outside the top 150 into the top 30, or China's Wang Xinyu's steady rise into the top 15.
- Shot of the Year: Alcaraz's no-look, behind-the-back flick passing shot in Monte Carlo? Or perhaps Ons Jabeur's impossible, pirouetting tweener winner in Berlin? You decide.
A Season of Transition and Triumph
The 2025 season will be remembered as a pivotal chapter. It saw the definitive passing of the torch in the men's game, with Sinner and Alcaraz establishing a duopoly for the ages, while the women's game showcased unparalleled depth, with four different Grand Slam champions. It celebrated the enduring class of legends in their twilight and heralded the exciting noise of the new generation. From the blue hard courts of Melbourne to the red clay of Paris, the hallowed grass of London, and the electric nights of New York, tennis delivered its unique blend of athleticism, drama, and human spirit.
Now, we turn it over to you, the fans. Your passion is the heartbeat of the sport. Review the highlights, debate the merits, and cast your votes below to crown the winners of our 2025 End-of-Season Tennis Awards. The players have had their say with their rackets. Now, it's your turn.