WTA biggest ranking movers in 2025: Anisimova completes biggest leap in top 50 while Bencic rises over 900 places

There have been a number of big movers in the WTA Rankings this year, as players look to climb the leaderboard. Some have achieved seismic rises propelling them way up the rankings into the top 100 while others have emerged as the world's best.

She may not have risen as high as some of her fellow competitors but Amanda Anisimova's climb up the rankings has once again been a hugely significant one. Last year, she rose 323 places from 359 to 36. It was impossible to replicate that feet, but she was able to continue her fabulous momentum into a season which has cemented her as one of the best in the world.

Her triumph in the Qatar Open caught the eye of many as the American threatened to continue her impeccable rise. Very few people would have suspected a Grand Slam final, but that is what she completed at Wimbledon after defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Unfortunately, she was unable to pick up another game as she lost 6-0, 6-0 against Iga Swiatek in a heartbreaking defeat. She had the chance of redemption in New York, overcoming the disappointment to make another major final, dumping out Swiatek enroute. It would be Sabalenka who stopped her in her tracks. Her maiden qualification for the WTA Finals was not in doubt at this point, but it was cemented with an incredible run in the China Open as she clinched a second WTA 1000 title. In Riyadh, she made it out the group but was defeated by eventual champion Elena Rybakina. She culminates the year as the world number four. She has risen 32 places to become one of the world's best.

While Anisimova may be the standout rise, she has not made as much progress as these players. Most notably Belinda Bencic who this time last year was the world number 913. She returned late in 2024 after becoming a mum, seeing her ranking plummet down. However, the class was still there. Most notably were WTA 500 titles at the start of the year in Abu Dhabi and at the end in Tokyo along with a semi-final at Wimbledon. These results have helped her finish just outside the top 10 in 11th.

24-year-old Caty McNally has also seen her name fly up the rankings. She finishes the year as the world number 81 after rising 736 places. Her 2023 and 2024 were plagued by injuries. Finally fit to compete a whole season, she has found a good rhythm on court to place her once more in the top 100.

While McNally had previously been in the top 100, this is a new experience for Janice Tjen. She won two WTA titles in October, including the Chennai Open, to edge her closer to the top 50 for the first time. Kaja Juvan and Julia Grabher have made delighted returns to the top 100 after massive rises.

In this list, Victoria Mboko may be the most notable riser. This time last year she was ranked outside the top 350 but a title at the Canadian Open along with steady progress in the game has seen the 19-year-old cannon up to world number 18, with her already having the chance to be seeded for a Grand Slam event. She is not the only youngster to be making moves. Tereza Valentova and Iva Jovic were both ranked outside the top 200 this time last year but the progression they have shown on the court with the talent flourishing leads to many believing that they will enjoy big futures in the sport. 

Lois Boisson had her season affected by injuries, but the damage was already done at Roland Garros with an unbelievable run to the semi-finals, eventually losing out to Coco Gauff. Emiliana Arango reached two WTA 500 finals which aided her top 50 debut. Finally, Alexandra Eala completes the list of triple-digit jumps. She won her first WTA title as well as making a run to the semi-final of the Miami Open.