"This is juicy!" - Isner, Querrey, Sock and Johnson divided between Sabalenka and Swiatek for WTA Player of the Year

The WTA season has been wrapped up for a few weeks now, with it being the perfect chance to reflect and give certain players their flowers for a stunning campaign. This is what John Isner, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Steve Johnson all did on the Nothing Major Show, highlighting the standout players in 2025.

This was the big one, the one every tennis player wants to win. The names on the shortlist were Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys. It was a very open 2025 on the WTA Tour. Four different players lifted the Grand Slam titles on offer, while Rybakina stormed to glory in the WTA Finals in imperious fashion. Anisimova failed to clinch one of these big five titles, but an immense rise followed by two Grand Slam finals makes her a worthy candidate.

In the end, there were just two names pinpointed by the Americans: Sabalenka and Swiatek. Johnson was quick to deliver his answer. "Sabalenka. Wire-to-wire No. 1. Finals of Australia and the French, semis of Wimbledon, won the US Open, finals at the year-end. Dominated the tour." Querrey sided with the Pole. "Swiatek. She changed her grass-court narrative by winning Wimbledon, then won Cincinnati too. Now she can win on any surface." Despite his argument, it did not sway what answer Sock was going to give. "I’m siding with Stevie — Sabalenka. Finishing No. 1, dominant almost everywhere she played." Isner completed it by also putting forward the world number one. "I’m with Sabalenka too. This race is more compelling than the ATP one, but going wire-to-wire No. 1 — amazing."

Next up were the most improved players. Clara Tauson, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Linda Noskova, Mirra Andreeva, and Anisimova were all listed.

Tauson had experienced a stunning campaign, reaching a semi-final and final of WTA 1000 events while finishing as world number 12. Ekaterina Alexandrova mustered up enough points to become an alternative in the WTA Finals, even featuring when things panned out her way. Noskova made three finals, including the China Open, but lost all of them. Andreeva came out of the blocks like a rocket, living up to the hype by picking up two of the first three WTA 1000 titles on show before slowly tailing off throughout the year.

However, all these players would not come close to Anisimova. Along with the major finals, she clinched two WTA 1000 titles and made the semi-finals of the WTA Finals. She shot up the rankings, culminating at a hugely impressive world number four.

"Anisimova. I think 'most improved' should be results-based — big moments, big tournaments, consistency. She solidified herself in the top 10 and backed it up multiple weeks," stated Sock. Querrey complimented his colleague. "Jack nailed it — Anisimova. It’s harder to go from 15 to 4 in the world than from 75 to 15. Two slam majors. She crushed it." He followed that up by giving a shoutout to Noskova, but not due to her tennis. "Can I give a small shoutout to Noskova just for the first name 'Linda.' You don't get a lot of Linda's in 2025."

Swiftly moving back to the original discussion, Johnson put them back on track. "Same — Anisimova. Everything she’s dealt with these past few years, and now this season — huge kudos."

"This is juicy!" Isner exclaimed when describing this next award, excited to get into it. Newcomer of the Year was the third and final topic debated. It was between Victoria Mboko, Lois Boisson, Alexandra Eala, Maya Joint, Iva Jovic, and Eva Lys.

Mboko had stolen the headlines after a stunning run in the Canadian Open, winning the title before ending the year in the top 20. Lois Boisson made the Roland Garros semi-final as a wildcard while Eala and Joint made their debut in the top 50 after clinching their maiden WTA titles. 17-year-old Iva Jovic has already won a WTA 500 event and broken into the top 40. Eva Lys enjoyed a fabulous Asian swing where she clambered into the top 40.

The panel were split in their choices. "I’m going Iva Jovic," Isner started. "Maybe a homer pick — I interviewed her at Roland Garros — she’s awesome. Won a 500 in Guadalajara and will probably be seeded at the Australian Open at 17."

Johnson offered a different perspective. "Victoria Mboko. Winning a 1000 in your home country — the pressure and the moment — unbelievable feeling." Querrey backed this take up. "Mboko for me too, but Jović is right there. I expect Mboko to be top 10 in the next couple years," he predicted. Sock finished by picking Jovic, only to tie the scores up two apiece between the rising talents.