LONDON — The WTA has unveiled its 2023 award winners, a list that honors standout performers across the season while notably omitting some of the year's biggest headline-makers. In a testament to the depth of talent on tour, Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová and US Open champion Coco Gauff, alongside teenage phenom Mirra Andreeva, were not among the players' selections, with the honors instead going to a mix of established stars and a celebrated comeback story.
The prestigious Player of the Year award was claimed by Aryna Sabalenka, a predictable yet wholly deserved accolade for the Belarusian powerhouse. Sabalenka’s season was a model of Grand Slam consistency and a breakthrough at the highest level. She captured her maiden major title at the Australian Open, reached the semifinals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and finished as runner-up to Coco Gauff in a thrilling US Open final.
Her dominance was not confined to the Slams; Sabalenka also secured the WTA Finals crown in Cancun, dethroning World No. 1 Iga Świątek in the process, and spent much of the season locked in a gripping battle for the top ranking. "Winning my first Grand Slam and finishing the year as World No. 1 was a dream come true," Sabalenka said in a statement. "This award from my peers means so much. It was an incredible season, and I’m so grateful for the support."
Doubles Dominance and Comeback of the Year
In the doubles sphere, the Doubles Team of the Year award went to the unstoppable pairing of Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens. While the duo split mid-season, their achievements in the first half of the year were undeniable. They triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, cementing their status as the premier team on tour during that period and propelling Hunter to the World No. 1 doubles ranking.
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant award was the Comeback Player of the Year, bestowed upon America's Amanda Anisimova. After stepping away from the tour in May 2023 citing mental health exhaustion and burnout, the former French Open semifinalist returned in January 2024 with renewed vigor. Her peers recognized the courage and difficulty of her journey back to competition, voting her the clear winner for this honor.
Notable Omissions Spark Discussion
The list of winners inevitably prompts discussion about those who were not selected by their fellow players. Most conspicuously absent is Markéta Vondroušová, who produced one of the most magical stories of the year by winning Wimbledon as an unseeded player—the first to do so in the Open Era. Her grass-court fairy tale, which included defeating Ons Jabeur in the final, was a historic achievement that did not translate into a year-end award.
Similarly, Coco Gauff’s transformative summer, capped by a maiden Grand Slam victory at her home US Open and ascension to World No. 3, was not recognized with a peer-voted award. While Gauff’s success came slightly later in the season, its magnitude is undeniable. The oversight highlights the subjective nature of these awards and the sheer volume of elite performances across a long season.
The breakout season of 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva also went officially unrecognized, though she was a nominee for Newcomer of the Year. The Russian prodigy’s run to the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third round at the US Open announced her as a future superstar, but the award ultimately went to another young talent.
Other Award Categories and Winners
The WTA awards encompass a range of achievements beyond pure win-loss records. The complete list of 2023 winners as voted by players includes:
- Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka
- Doubles Team of the Year: Storm Hunter & Elise Mertens
- Comeback Player of the Year: Amanda Anisimova
- Most Improved Player of the Year: Zheng Qinwen
- Newcomer of the Year: Mirra Andreeva
- Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award: Ons Jabeur
- Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award: Victoria Azarenka
China’s Zheng Qinwen earned the Most Improved Player of the Year award after a season that saw her crack the Top 20, win two WTA titles, and reach the quarterfinals of the US Open. The popular Ons Jabeur received the sportsmanship award for the second consecutive year, while Victoria Azarenka was recognized by her peers for her leadership and contributions to the Player Council.
A Reflection of a Transitional Season
The 2023 WTA award winners collectively paint a picture of a tour in a dynamic state of flux. Sabalenka’s award confirms her arrival as a consistent, dominant force, while Anisimova’s honor speaks to the increasing openness about mental health in professional sports. The recognition of Hunter and Mertens underscores the specialization and prestige of doubles.
The omissions, however, are just as telling. The fact that a Wimbledon and US Open champion can be left off the winners’ list is less a slight on Vondroušová and Gauff and more a testament to the incredible depth and parity at the top of the women’s game. Multiple players had legitimate, award-worthy seasons, making the voters’ task exceptionally difficult.
As one veteran tennis analyst noted, "The WTA awards often reflect a season’s narrative as much as its raw results. Sabalenka’s relentless pursuit of the top spot was the through-line for 2023, while Anisimova’s return resonated deeply with players who understand the tour’s pressures. The ‘snubs’ simply show we had an abundance of brilliant stories."
Ultimately, the awards serve as a compelling snapshot of a memorable year. They celebrate individual triumphs like Sabalenka’s climb to the summit and Anisimova’s personal victory, while the conversations around the winners—and those not on the list—perfectly encapsulate the unpredictable and fiercely competitive nature of modern women’s tennis.