This is the annual post on Moo’s Tennis Blog where I have a go at predicting the season-ending top ten and Slam champions for the upcoming season. There wasn’t too much deliberation this year and I was pretty set on the top five. You can view last year’s results here and previous years here. Read on for my 2025 predictions…

10. Linda Noskova: Opening with probably my most (only?) left-field choice. Noskova dealt with some unimaginable challenges in 2024 but still managed to end the season inside the world’s top 30. Noskova has been present in my predictions for the past two years and I think 2025 will be where she takes the next step in her career and cracks the world’s top ten. Noskova has all the tools at her disposal and has already proven that she has the game to disturb the top players with six top ten wins including over Iga Swiatek. My tip to win the WTA most improved player award for 2025.

9. Paula Badosa: Badosa has proven herself, when healthy, to be one of the most consistent performers on tour. It’s highly likely that Badosa will crack the top ten early in 2025 as she defends few points up to Rome. I’m still a little wary about injuries which have plagued Badosa’s career over the past few years. However, I am going for Badosa to cling onto her top ten place at the end of the year and win a 1000 title along the way.

8. Zheng Qinwen: I’ve been on the Zheng bandwagon for the past few years. Strangely enough, as Zheng cracked the top five, I would say i’ve taken one foot off that bandwagon. Zheng’s game still has some funky clinks to it and she will be defending final points from the Australian Open in January (Note – interesting that she has pulled out of the United Cup already). There will be plenty of room to catch up ground between Australia and Wimbledon though.

7. Mirra Andreeva: I think 2025 will be the year that Andreeva cracks the top ten. Soon she will be no longer limited by the tournaments she can play as she turns 18 in April. Andreeva has a great tennis brain and IQ for the game. I would not be surprised to see Andreeva reach a Slam final in 2025.

6. Jessica Pegula: I expect Pegula to continue to be a mainstay in the world’s top ten. Her steady game will continue to win her lots of matches on tour. I’m fascinated to see if she can build on the breakthrough run at the US Open. I still think it’s going to be a challenge for Pegula to consistently beat the big hitters in the latter stages of the Slams.

5. Coco Gauff: 2024 was a tough year for Coco yet she still managed to end the season on a high by winning the WTA Finals and finishing inside the world’s top three. I’m encouraged by the new partnership with Matt Daly and the already obvious focus to work on the forehand and the serve. I’m trending towards a similar prediction to last year – winning a lot of matches, a handful of 1000 titles, deep runs at least two Slams but no Slam titles.

4. Iga Swiatek: Swiatek has been my number one for the past few years but i’m not feeling as positive this year. I feel this prediction is the one i’m most likely to regret in a year’s time! There are some interesting dimensions for 2025 as Swiatek is pairing up with a new coach in Wim Fissette who has had success with most players he has joined forces with. Perhaps more pertinent is the mountain of questions that she will undoubtedly face following the recent announcement of the failed drugs test. Swiatek has been utterly dominant at the French Open but is still yet to fully prove herself at some of the other Slams. I don’t see that changing in 2025.

3. Karolina Muchova: I will forever ride the Muchova bandwagon. Last year was unfortunate with the wrist injury ruling her out for the first half of the 2024 season. Muchova was impressive on her comeback and picked up right where she left off from as she reached the semi-finals of the US Open and the final in Beijing with yet another win over Sabalenka. I think Muchova will win some big titles in 2025. A Slam perhaps? Hell yeah!

2. Elena Rybakina: I’m still high on Rybakina who, when fit and healthy, is one of the best players in the world. I was encouraged to see Rybakina in seemingly better form at the WTA Finals, both on and off the court, and she announced a surprising and exciting partnership with Goran Ivanisevic. The health is still a concern otherwise i’d probably have Rybakina as my number 1. Still, I think it’s going to be a better year and another Slam win is on the cards in 2025.

1. Aryna Sabalenka: Like Rybakina last year, i’ve done a U-turn on Sabalenka. She has been so consistent at the Slams which I find compelling because Sabalenka’s game can still be pretty wild at times. 2024 had some really tough moments and yet she still came out on top and continued to showcase her impressive resilience. I think Sabalenka will win Wimbledon in 2025.

Best of the rest:

Barbora Krejcikova: The enigma that is Krejcikova is never to be discounted. She has demonstrated on multiple occasions that she can pull a big result out of nowhere and beat practically anyone on her day. Like many players, health and injuries may be the limiting factor. Top 12.

Madison Keys: 2025 is the year that Keys goes deep at Wimbledon! Top 15.

Amanda Anisimova: I’m still on the AA bandwagon but have tempered my expectations since 2023. Consistency will always be an issue for Anisimova because her game is so aggressive. On the other hand, it could all click at one tournament. I predict a deep run at one of the Slams. Top 20.

Emma Raducanu: On the whole, 2024 was promising and largely injury free. I think Raducanu will continue building and be one to watch during the grass court season. Top 20.

Jasmine Paolini: Erring on the side of caution with Paolini because it’s going to be a tough summer defending finals points from the French Open and Wimbledon. I’d be pleasantly surprised if Paolini can maintain her position in the world’s top ten. Top 30

Olga Danilovic: I know there have been some terrible injuries but I have never fully understood why Danilovic hasn’t made more inroads in the rankings. Perhaps 2025 will be the breakthrough year after an encouraging end to the season? Top 30.

Katie Volynets: Impressed with Volynet’s steady progression and I think that will continue in 2025. Top 30.

Yuliia Starodubtseva: Qualified for all four Slams in 2024. Will be main draw for more tournaments in 2025. One to watch. Top 40.

Robin Montgomery: Every time I watch Montgomery I am impressed with her game and attitude. 2025 will be a good year for Robin. Top 50.

Alina Korneeva: Spent most of 2024 on the sidelines due to a wrist injury. Korneeva was the Australian Open juniors champion in 2023 and I think 2025 will be the breakthrough year. My prediction to win the WTA newcomer of the year award in 2025. Top 50.

Slam Predictions:

Australian Open: Rybakina

French Open: Swiatek

Wimbledon: Sabalenka

US Open: Muchova