Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys both agree who the WTA Player of the Year for 2025 is Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys both agree who the WTA Player of the Year for 2025 is … On Monday, Aryna Sabalenka was crowned the WTA Player of…
In a candid, must-see-for-tennis world moment that has sent shockwaves through the WTA community, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys — two of American tennis’s most respected stars — have publicly agreed on who deserves the WTA Player of the Year award for the 2025 season. What made the revelation even more riveting was how both players expressed their opinions in a shared conversation — underscoring not only respect for their peer but the collective recognition of a standout season that redefined elite performance on the women’s tour.
At the heart of this year’s conversation was Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian phenom who continued her incredible run on the global stage. Sabalenka’s consistency, power game, and mental fortitude across the calendar placed her squarely at the top of most professional assessments — and both Pegula and Keys confirmed what many fans had already suspected: she is the true WTA standout of the year. Yardbarker
A Season of Dominance and Respect
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 season was nothing short of monumental. She secured the WTA Player of the Year title for the second consecutive time, showcasing a blend of athletic intensity and relentless pursuit of victory that few on tour could match. From smashing championships to deep runs in high-stakes majors, Sabalenka blended precision and aggression in a way that turned heads on every surface. Her year was capped by holding onto the World No. 1 ranking throughout the season, a testament to her unparalleled consistency. Yardbarker
Jessica Pegula, herself a top-ranked competitor and multiple title contender in 2025, didn’t hold back when asked who she believed should take the crown. In an intimate discussion on The Player’s Box Podcast, Pegula described Sabalenka’s relentless performance as “the benchmark for excellence this year,” emphasizing not just the results but her overall impact on the women’s game. Madison Keys echoed those sentiments, pointing to Sabalenka’s ability to stay a step ahead in match after match, even under the pressure of expectation and fierce competition. Yardbarker
Inside Their Candid Reactions
What makes this acknowledgment especially powerful is that both Pegula and Keys are elite athletes in their own right. Pegula, known for her powerful baseline strikes and tactical court IQ, wrapped up several significant wins in 2025 and remained a top contender in every tournament she entered. Keys, who stunned the tennis world with her breakthrough Australian Open title, has had a remarkable comeback this year after years of climbing and redefining her game. Wikipedia
Yet despite their own impressive campaigns, neither hesitated to name Sabalenka the standout figure on the WTA Tour.
“It wasn’t easy,” Pegula admitted during the session. “The depth of talent in our sport makes every week a battle, but Aryna’s resilience pushed her ahead in a way that genuinely impressed all of us.” Keys added that Sabalenka’s physicality and determination changed how opponents had to prepare for every match, often forcing rivals into tactical shifts just to keep pace. Yardbarker
Fan Reaction and What’s Next
The online tennis community erupted following their comments. Fans on social platforms debated heatedly, with some hailing the decision as a long-overdue celebration of Sabalenka’s consistency, while others argued for champions like Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek based on their own breakthrough moments throughout the year. Rankings data and end-of-season statistics paint a vivid picture of how closely contested this season truly was — with multiple players pushing the sport’s boundaries and forcing frequent conversations about “who deserves it most.” Tennisuptodate.com
Despite those spirited debates, the acknowledgment by Pegula and Keys has lent added legitimacy to Sabalenka’s achievement in winning the prestigious Player of the Year honor. Their mutual respect — both for her game and for the sport’s journey in 2025 — underscores a year where elite competition and camaraderie walked side by side.
As the WTA looks toward the 2026 season, the conversation and momentum are already building. With fresh talent emerging and established stars reshaping legacies, fans can expect even more electrifying tennis, storylines, and headline-grabbing moments in the months ahead.
