Aryna Sabalenka clinches WTA player of the year for second consecutive season

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been named the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Player of the Year for the second year in a row, capping off a dominant 2025 campaign, Sport360NG reports.

The 27-year-old Belarusian claimed four singles titles, the most on tour, including a successful defense of her US Open crown against Amanda Anisimova in September, marking her fourth Grand Slam victory. Sabalenka also reached a tour-leading nine finals, finishing as runner-up to Madison Keys at the Australian Open in January and Coco Gauff at the French Open in June.

Her other titles came at the Brisbane International in January, the Miami Open in March, and the Madrid Open in May. Sabalenka held the world number one ranking throughout the season and concluded 2025 atop the standings for the second consecutive year. In July, she became the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to surpass 12,000 WTA ranking points.

Over the season, Sabalenka posted a 63-12 win-loss record and earned a record £11 million in prize money. She secured nearly 80% of votes from international tennis media for the accolade. On 28 December, she is set to face 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios in a Battle of the Sexes-style exhibition match aimed at promoting women’s tennis.

Other WTA awards recognized remarkable achievements this year. Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, 28, was named Comeback Player of the Year after returning to the tour following a 13-month maternity break. Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko earned Newcomer of the Year honors after climbing from outside the world’s top 300 to No. 18.

In doubles, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend were voted Team of the Year after capturing their second Grand Slam title together. Amanda Anisimova received the Most Improved Player award after reaching five finals throughout the season.

Meanwhile, in the men’s game, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz collected three awards at the ATP Awards last week, including year-end No. 1, while Italy’s Jannik Sinner was named fans’ favorite for the third time.