Next week’s Australian Open, which is the first Grand Slam of the season, marks the start of 2025 proper and we have 5 Tennis Players to Watch ahead of the new season.
Tennis Tips: 5 Huge Tennis Players to Watch in 2025
There is a bit of a gulf between the best and the rest on the WTA Tour, with Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in a league of their own, but there are some young players coming through the system that could soon be capable of bridging that gap. Here we pick out some of the best candidates that could build on their initial promise and have career-best seasons in 2025.
Tennis Players to Watch: Mirra Andreeva
There are plenty getting excited about the future of 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva who, if she can keep her heated temper under wraps, should go on to enjoy an extremely successful career. The Russian is already a winner on the WTA Tour, having claimed her maiden title at the Iasi Open in Romania in July, while she has already reached the semi-final of a Grand Slam, making the final four of last season’s French Open.
Those performances amongst many more have seen her rise to world number 15, meaning she will be seeded for the showpiece events, and although still raw, her natural ability could enable her to challenge for a lot of big prizes this season.
Tennis Players to Watch: Diana Shnaider
Another Russian youngster capable of going all the way to the top is 20-year-old Diana Shnaider, who reeled off four tournament successes in 2024 in Hong Kong, Budapest, Bad Homburg and Hua Hin. That is a remarkable achievement for one so inexperienced and the pressure will be on the now world number 13 to match those expectations, especially in Grand Slam events.
However, her aggressive all-court style of play makes her extremely difficult to beat when on-song and given her talent, it is hard to see her taking a backwards step.
Tennis Players to Watch: Linda Noskova
Although down at world number 30, Linda Noskova is a player of immense potential and the 20-year-old Czech talent should soon make her way up the rankings. Noskova is only the third highest ranked Czech player in the world, which highlights the quality the nation possesses, and seeing compatriots Marketa Vondrousova and Barbora Krejcikova win Grand Slams in back-to-back years should fuel her fire.
The Prerov native won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Monterrey Open in Mexico in August, while her quarter-final run at last season’s Australian Open further enhances her profile.
Tennis Players to Watch: Lulu Sun
Lulu Sun has enjoyed a remarkable rise in a short period of time, with her quarter-final run on her Wimbledon debut last season playing a big part in her climb to world number 43. The New Zealander went on to finish runner-up to Noskova at the Monterrey Open in August, showing that her Wimbledon heroics were no fluke, and there is plenty to suggest she can build on those experiences.
Sun inherits an aggressive approach but is excellent in defence and, most crucially, she has ability to stay calm in tight moments, something which is sure to serve her extremely well.
Tennis Players to Watch: Elina Avanesyan
Russian-born Armenian Elina Avanesyan still awaits her first WTA Tour title but it shouldn’t be long before the athletic 22-year-old gets her day in the sun. Avanesyan did finish runner-up to Mirra Andreeva at the Iasi Open in July and it is likely to be on clay where she secures her success, having made the fourth round of the French Open in successive years. The world number 44 is progressing nicely and is expected to take another step forward.
Please note that the information provided in this 5 ATP Tennis Players to Watch in 2025 article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
