The tennis season kicked off with unexpected excitement as Madison Keys triumphed at the Australian Open, marking her first Grand Slam title just before her 30th birthday, instead of the defending champion and World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka.
Keys expressed gratitude, saying, “My team believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and helped me every step of the way.”
In another surprising turn, three-time defending Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek was defeated by Sabalenka in the Paris semifinals. Coco Gauff then stunned Sabalenka after dropping a first-set tiebreak, securing her second major title at just 21 years old. “I didn’t think honestly that I could win,” Gauff admitted.
Swiatek later clinched the Wimbledon title on grass, a surface she historically struggled with, calling the win “pretty surreal.” She became the eighth consecutive first-time women’s champion at Wimbledon, expressing pride in her unexpected accomplishment.
As the final Grand Slam of the season draws near, the potential for more surprises remains high. Over the past decade, four players have achieved their first major title at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Teenagers Take Center Stage
Andreeva’s Impressive Streak
A young 17-year-old, Mirra Andreeva, made headlines during the winter by winning six consecutive matches at the WTA 1000 in Dubai, topping notable players like No. 2 Swiatek and No. 7 Elena Rybakina before claiming the title against Clara Tauson. She followed this up at Indian Wells with victories over Swiatek and Rybakina, ultimately defeating World No. 1 Sabalenka in the final after losing a set. This impressive run has propelled her into the Top 10.
Comebacks and Resurgence
Retro Moments Make a Splash
Several seasoned players including Belinda Bencic, Marketa Vondrousova, and Anastasija Sevastova caused upsets against Top 10 rivals while ranked outside the Top 100. Bencic, returning from maternity leave, defeated Rybakina to claim the title in Abu Dhabi, while Vondrousova triumphed in Berlin after beating both Sabalenka and Keys. Meanwhile, Sevastova, at 35, made it to the Round of 16 in Montreal after defeating Jessica Pegula.
Significant Breakthroughs
Double Wins Shine Bright
McCartney Kessler and Maya Joint both enjoyed their second Hologic WTA Tour singles titles this year on grass in England. Kessler, 26, took the title in Nottingham and had previously won in Hobart, while 19-year-old Joint secured her second title in Eastbourne, following her victory in Rabat, Morocco.
Rising Stars
Newcomers in the Spotlight
The WTA’s Newcomer of the Year voting could go in various directions, with standout performances from young talents. Victoria Mboko, 18, won the Omnium Banque Nationale title in Canada, defeating four former Grand Slam champions, including Naomi Osaka. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Alexandra Eala made a remarkable semifinal run at the Miami Open, and Lois Boisson, ranked No. 361, reached the Roland Garros semifinals and later won the title in Hamburg, breaking into the Top 50.
