Top 5 in 2025: WTA edition
Who do you believe will make up the WTA top 5 in 2025? Six years seems like a long time, but we believe the stars of the future are out shining bright already. We guessed at a couple of names to watch for as their careers blossom and their names become household ones. In case you missed it, check out our ATP predictions here. We’ll be back in 2025 to see how we did with our predictions!
The Top 5 candidates for WTA top 5 in 2025
Bianca Andreescu
Bianca Andreescu is the first tennis player born in the 2000s to win a Grand Slam singles title. She is currently the fifth-highest-ranked WTA player in the world. However, take a look back to her ranking of 210th in the world just a year ago to see what a meteoric rise this young Canadian has made. Moreover, she did it all during a season where she missed four months with a shoulder injury. She rode a 17-match winning streak from March 1st to the quarterfinals of the China Open. In this streak, she won titles at Indian Wells, the Rogers Cup, and the US Open. Plus, she captured the hearts of all of her Canadian supporters, who were thrilled to celebrate the first Canadian Grand Slam champion.
Martina Navratilova said, “Everyone knows how to bang the ball; it’s when you bring something extra to the table that it makes all the difference.” Andreescu brings a lot of extra to the table. She hits harder balls than almost every player in the women’s tour—with lots of variety—while simultaneously backing it up with a level of mental strength not commonly seen in such young players. She currently holds two records which are an excellent showcase of her incredible confidence and mental fortitude. Firstly, she’s only person in history to win the US Open title on her first attempt. Second, she tied Monica Seles as the player with the fewest Grand Slam main draw appearances before winning a title. Bianca is set to take the tennis world by storm, if she can keep the injury bugs at bay.
Coco Gauff
We knew this name was going to be on this list, you knew this name was going to be on this list, everyone knew. Hence, there is little left to say about this young American phenom. With a father who was a basketball player at Georgia State and a mother who was a hurdler and heptathlete at Florida State, athleticism runs in the Gauff family. Cori is certainly no exception. She began playing playing tennis at the age of seven, and went on to be a finalist in the 2017 Junior US Open at just 13 years old. In addition, she won the Junior French Open at just 14 years old the very next year. At 15, she received a wildcard into the 2019 Wimbledon qualifying tournament and shocked the world by qualifying for a Grand Slam main draw. In the first round, Gauff was set to meet Venus Williams. She continued her amazing run by winning not only that match, but the next two as well. She made it to the fourth round, where she lost to the eventual champion, Simona Halep. All signs point to this young star seizing multiple grand slam trophies. Plus, Coco is also a very skilled doubles player; she’s teamed up with fellow list member Catherine McNally on several memorable occasions.
The sporting world loves a rivalry, which is one thing the WTA has been missing out on for a long time. A Gauff-Andreescu rivalry would be excellent for women’s tennis, and we are excited to watch these two battle it out for titles in 2025 and beyond!
Naomi Osaka
A star of the future—and the present! Osaka is now a household name in women’s tennis. The 21-year-old already has two Grand Slams under her belt. She knows how to win by generating huge power from the baseline and pressuring her opponent from the get-go. She has a great all-around game, however, she could use a bit more mental toughness in matches that aren’t going her way.
Amanda Anisimova
Amanda is currently the youngest player in the top 100 at just 18 years of age. Her recent successes are beginning to overshadow her title at the 2017 Junior US Open. Most notably this year, she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and was the first American finalist in 14 years at the French Open. Moreover, she was the youngest semifinalist at the French in over a decade.
Sofia Kenin
She’s fast, she hits hard, and she’s extremely passionate. Consequently, Kenin went up to 17th in the world this year as a 20-year-old. A bright young American star, she’s one deep run at a Grand Slam away from being a household name in the US and around the globe.
Other possibilities
Donna Vekic: Strong willed, determined, and extremely competitive. This young 23-year-old Croatian is hot off her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. Expect her to continue to climb the rankings for years to come.
Aryna Sabalenka: This Belarusian is extraordinarily tough for a 21-year-old. She hits hard. She’s in the top 15 in the world in both singles and doubles. Expect big things from this one.
Marketa Vondrousova: Quiet, calm, and a clay-court specialist. Vonderousova made a splash by making it all the way to the French Open final at the age of 20 this year. Expect to see her making waves at lots of tournaments in the future.
Ashleigh Barty: Crazy athletic—think “took two years off of tennis to play professional cricket” athletic—with six professional titles, including this year’s French Open. Ash, at 23 years old, is currently the No. 1 player in the world. This Aussie could be around the top of the charts for a long time—provided she doesn’t start playing a different sport professionally!
Belinda Bencic: Bencic is currently 10th in the world and turned pro in 2014. Impressive for anyone, but it’s worth noting Belinda is only 22 years old.
Dark horses
Iga Swiatek: The second-youngest woman in the WTA top 100, Iga has been a standout star at her young age. Armed with a 33-16 win-loss ratio this year and a ranking of 60th in the world, the sky is the limit for young Iga and her Polish fans.
Anastasia Potapova: The third-youngest member of the top 100 is Anastasia; she’s currently ranked 73rd in the world and already has wins chalked up at the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon. She’s proved she can handle the pressure when it matters most.
Catherine McNally: Another American? Our future keeps getting brighter! McNally is 17 years old and on the cusp of the top 100. Oh, and she won her first professional doubles tournament this year with fellow list member Cori Gauff.
Dayana Yastremska: 19 years old? Check. 27th in the world? Check. This impressive young Ukrainian has three professional titles under her belt, and we have a feeling she’s just getting warmed up.
Elena Rybakina: Hailing from Kazakhstan, multiple junior Grand Slam semifinal visitor Elena Rybakina built an impressive junior resume. Plus, she has her first WTA singles title under her belt after a stunning run in Bucharest this year. In addition, she is already in the top 50 in the world at only 20 years of age.
Caroline Garcia: It might surprise you to learn Caroline is only 25 years old! Caro has been a big name on tour for years, making multiple rounds of 16 and a Slam quarterfinal. Plus, she’s a Topnotch Management player, so join us and keep an eye on her!
A look back
Ultimately, in six years the top 5 might consist of names we haven’t even heard of yet. Pretend it’s 2013—had you heard of the current top four? Barty? (She had a great year in doubles.) Pliskova? (She made her top 100 debut and won in Kuala Lumpur.) Svitolina, perhaps? (She had a breakthrough top 50 season and won Baku.) Probably not Osaka? (She played her first WTA qualifying rounds.) We’re excited to see what happens on the WTA Tour in the next few years.
