World No. 1s recap: Alcaraz and Sabalenka share season highlights as Rune continues recovery and Swiatek enjoys the Australian sun

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, the off-season continues to blend recovery, preparation and reflection as players across the tours share updates from Australia, Europe and beyond. Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz looked back on their dominant 2025 campaigns after finishing the year as world No. 1s, while Iga Swiatek settled into Sydney ahead of another United Cup run with Poland.

Elsewhere, Holger Rune offered a positive glimpse of his Achilles recovery by stepping back onto the court, as Naomi Osaka, Sabalenka and several young stars began their build-up for the new season in Australia. Victoria Mboko and Maya Joint trained together ahead of the United Cup, while Simona Halep reflected on her first year of retirement away from the tennis courts.

World No. 1s Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz shared photo recaps of their 2025 seasons after both finished the year at the top of their respective rankings. The Belarusian captured her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open, while also reaching the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, closing a second consecutive year as world No. 1.

On the men’s side, Alcaraz was involved in a tight battle with Jannik Sinner for the year-end No. 1 ranking. The Spaniard won titles at the French Open and the US Open, while finishing runner-up at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals. Alcaraz wrapped up a dream season with eight titles and three additional finals, marking his second year finishing as ATP world No. 1 and matching his 2022 achievement.

Holger Rune is back on court as he continues his recovery process, sharing a video hitting tennis balls two and a half months after undergoing surgery. The former world No. 4 is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that will keep him sidelined for several months. After recently returning to walking, Rune has now resumed light on-court activity to regain mobility.

There is still a long road ahead before Rune returns to official competition, but the Dane offered an encouraging update alongside his video. “Not too bad 🦾 week 10 after Achilles surgery and first time on 2 feet on court . I want to wish everyone a very happy new year 🎉 And for those whose 2025 has been tough, we came through 🦾 Let’s wish and work for a 2026 full of success and joy . I am overwhelmed with the kindness and support from all of you, my fans, family and my team and colleagues . Thank you 🙏🏼❤️

Aryna Sabalenka has arrived in Brisbane ahead of her first tournament of the season, where she will compete as the defending champion at the Brisbane International. The world No. 1 joins a star-studded draw featuring seven Top 10 players as she kicks off her 2026 campaign, aiming to defend her No. 1 ranking before travelling to Melbourne for the season’s first Grand Slam.

“I’m really well prepared right now for the new season, and yeah, I think I just wanted to finish the 2025 season on a very fun note,” the world No. 1 said upon her arrival in Brisbane.

The four-time Grand Slam champion faces a significant points defence early in the year. With the Brisbane title and her 2025 Australian Open final accounting for a total of 1,800 points, Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in a vulnerable position, with Iga Swiatek once again having a chance to challenge her for the top ranking.

A high-level training session took place in Sydney ahead of the start of the United Cup, featuring two young players expected to make a major impact this season: Canada’s Victoria Mboko (world No. 18) and Australia’s Maya Joint (world No. 32). Both 19 years old, they will be seeded at the upcoming Australian Open and are set to lead their respective nations at the United Cup despite their young age.

Mboko finished the season as Canada’s No. 1, overtaking Leylah Fernandez, while Joint became Australia’s top-ranked player after surpassing Daria Kasatkina. Although the two will not face each other during the tournament as they are drawn into separate groups, they used the days leading up to the event for an elite training session between two players tipped to dominate the tour in the coming years.

Mboko will face Zhu Lin (China) and Elise Mertens (Belgium), while Joint is set to take on Malene Helgo (Norway) and two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova (Czechia).

Former world No. 1 Simona Halep shared a photo carousel reflecting on her 2025, her first full year away from professional tennis following her retirement at the start of the season. The two-time Grand Slam champion endured a complicated final stage of her career, as a nearly two-year suspension, ongoing injuries, and difficulties regaining her level ultimately led her to retire after the Bucharest Open.

Despite stepping away from competition, Halep appeared in good spirits in her social media posts, sharing moments with family, travel highlights, and visits to Roland Garros and Wimbledon — this time as a retired player and former champion at both tournaments.

Iga Swiatek expressed her excitement upon arriving in Australia to begin the 2026 season, citing not only the start of competition but also the summer weather — a welcome change from the Polish winter. The six-time Grand Slam champion shared photos from her first days in Sydney, smiling under clear skies as she prepares for another United Cup campaign.

Poland finished runner-up in each of the last two editions of the United Cup, with Swiatek playing a central role on both occasions. The world No. 2 will once again partner Hubert Hurkacz as Poland looks to challenge for the title, while also defending the points she earned last season through four match victories en route to the final.

Swiatek’s primary objective remains the Australian Open, where she has the chance to complete the Career Grand Slam — and potentially reclaim the world No. 1 ranking should Aryna Sabalenka suffer an early setback.