Sabalenka crowned queen of women’s tennis as rivals admit she ruled 2025

Jessica Pegula and Madison keys agree Aryna Sabalenka towered above all rivals in 2025

Aryna Sabalenka’s grip on women’s tennis in 2025 has been emphatically confirmed, not only by official honours but by the voices of her closest rivals. Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys have both named the Belarusian as their undisputed WTA Player of the Year, ending any lingering debate about who truly defined the season.

Sabalenka was formally crowned WTA Player of the Year on Monday, securing the accolade for the second consecutive season. The award followed a year of sustained excellence that saw her remain world number one throughout the calendar, a feat that underscored her consistency as much as her power.

Her season reached its most emphatic moment in September when she lifted the US Open title, a victory that capped a run of three Grand Slam final appearances in 2025. That achievement placed her ahead of an elite field that included Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys herself.

While the statistics alone painted a compelling picture, the verdict from within the locker room carried its own weight. Speaking during a discussion on The Player’s Box Podcast, Pegula and Keys joined fellow professionals Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk in analysing the WTA’s end of year awards.

The conversation explored multiple contenders, reflecting just how competitive the women’s tour has become. Amanda Anisimova earned praise after reaching two Grand Slam finals and claiming the WTA Most Improved award, while Elena Rybakina impressed with a flawless finish to her season, winning her final eleven matches to take both the Ningbo Open and the WTA Finals.

Despite acknowledging those achievements, Pegula and Keys ultimately returned to the same conclusion. Sabalenka, they agreed, stood apart.

For Pegula, the argument came down to sustained dominance. Holding the world number one ranking from start to finish demands more than flashes of brilliance. It requires resilience, adaptability and the ability to absorb pressure week after week. Sabalenka delivered on all fronts.

Keys echoed that assessment, pointing to the scale of Sabalenka’s presence on the biggest stages. Three Grand Slam finals in a single season is a mark of authority, not fortune. Combined with a major title and year long consistency, it left little room for doubt.

The award itself prompted discussion among fans, some questioning whether Player of the Year honours simply mirror the rankings. Yet even those sceptical voices acknowledged that Sabalenka’s US Open triumph removed any ambiguity. She did not merely accumulate points. She won when it mattered most.

Sabalenka’s 2025 campaign blended raw power with growing maturity. Her serve remained one of the most feared weapons on tour, while her baseline aggression consistently forced opponents onto the defensive. Equally important was her improved composure in tight moments, an area that had previously drawn scrutiny.

By season’s end, she was no longer chasing validation. She was setting the standard.

For the rest of the field, the recognition serves as both acknowledgment and warning. The road to future titles runs through Sabalenka, and dislodging her from the summit will require more than isolated peaks of form.

As Pegula and Keys made clear, this was not a sentimental vote nor a polite nod to rankings. It was a reflection of reality inside the sport. Aryna Sabalenka owned 2025.

With back to back Player of the Year awards now secured, she enters the next season not just as the woman to beat, but as the defining figure of her era.