2025 WTA News & Gossip

[Front242]

Well Serena has come on social media and denied she is coming back to tennis? though why would she have put her name on the anti doping program? it does give her an option if she wants to play again?
There were big rumors before the USO this year that she and Venus would play doubles together? of course Serena didnt meet the requirements and could not play
BTW,
In terms of the weight loss drugs, this is something WADA is monitoring, there was and article about it last weekend in the Times.
Currently, the substances themselves are not on the prohibited list but on WADA's 'watch list'.
So may well at some point depending if they feel it meets their criteria.

Well she can deny it all she wants but she knows it makes zero sense to be subjected to random drug tests for nothing so she's clearly giving it thought.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well she can deny it all she wants but she knows it makes zero sense to be subjected to random drug tests for nothing so she's clearly giving it thought.

I agree she wouldnt put herself on the anti doping program if she was thinking about returning to the tour, Serena will have to wait 6 months if she decides to compete again.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Anastasia Potopova has applied for Austrian citizenship and it has been accepted, as of 2026 she will be representing Austria, Austria is a place I love and feel totally at home looking forward to making Wien my home, Potpova said.

 

[kskate2]

I agree she wouldnt put herself on the anti doping program if she was thinking about returning to the tour, Serena will have to wait 6 months if she decides to compete again.

Just in time for a run at Wimby and the USO. She knows exactly what she is doing.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just in time for a run at Wimby and the USO. She knows exactly what she is doing.

Personally I think she will play doubles with Venus, just my guess there were rumors at the USO she wanted to play with Venus, this year, though she wasnt on the anti doping program, now she only has to wait 6 months and lets see if she play singles or doubles or both

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In her first appearance at a professional tournament in 18 months, 41 yo Vera Zvonareva is into singles and doubles SFs at W100 Dubai.
She's facing 16 yo Mika Stojsavljevic in singles SFs and 17 yo Rada Zolotatareva is her doubles partner this week.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Marie Bouzkova world no 42 has hired Marc Lopez ( one of Rafa Nadals former coaches) to her coaching team in 2026, Marc Lopez had a short coaching stint with Jasmine Paolini between April and July in 2025

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sorana Cirstea has announced that 2026 will be her last year on the tour., it will be her 20th year as a professional tennis player, she never expected to compete for such a long time, she said she is very grateful for every thing tennis has given and taught her. Sorana is 35 yo and her ranking is no 43.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vera Zvonareva defeated 16 yo Mika Strojsavljevic 63 67 64 in a match that lasted over 3 hours, reaching the final at the Al Habtoor Tennis ITFW100 ,challenge final in her first event since May 2924, Vera is also into the doubles final this week,
Vera's run at the W100 Dubai may have not ended with a title as she finished R/U in both singles and doubles still a great run from the 41 yo Zvonareva.
In the singles final she lost to Petra Marcinko of Croatia 63 63. Later in the doubles final with her partner Rada Zolotareva, lost to Xinyu/Sawangkaew 46 75 10-7

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am not surprised with this news,
Jasmine Paolini has appointed Sara Errani as her 'tactical coach ' for 2026, Errani joins Danilo Pizzorno as part of her team

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The WTA is close to finalizing a multi year deal with Mercedes-Benz to be their new premier partner ( a tier that will replace the title sponsor) beginning 2026, according to three sources familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The deal, which will be announced later this month ( December), is expected to be the largest sponsorship in women's sports history. It replaces the medical device and diagnostics company Hologic, which has been the title sponsor since 2022 and marked the largest global sponsorship of the WTA at the time paying $18-20 million a year according to two sources familiar with the terms.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

AO 2026 entry list for women:,
Daniella Collins No 64 and Ons Jabeur No 76 OUT
Protected raniking,
Karolina Plsikova
Wang Yafan
Mananchaya Sawangkaew

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Virginia Slims will always be the best title sponsor of women's tennis. That era was peak women's tennis. Once Virginia Slims was removed as a sponsor, women's tennis went to the crappers.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Virginia Slims will always be the best title sponsor of women's tennis. That era was peak women's tennis. Once Virginia Slims was removed as a sponsor, women's tennis went to the crappers.

I was Totally Against Virginia Slims sponsoring womens tennis A company promoting tobacco, with feminist themed slogans like 'You've come a long way baby"? to associate smoking with female liberation and empowerment? No thank you, as a medical professional I have seen the deadly consequensces of smoking period!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Canada's Victoria Mboko named Singles Player of the Year and also Most Improved Player of the Year in 2025 in Canada's annual tennis awards

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It has been confirmed,
WTA and Mercedes-Benz announce long term partnership starting in 2026. Mercedes Benz becomes the Premier Partner and exclusive automobile partner of the WTA.
Starting in 2026, Mercedes-Benz will pour $50 million per year into the WTA for up to 10 years! The Largest Deal in the Tour's history!
Together both partners share the aspiration of further elevating womens tennis for even greater impact, visibility and empowerment.
Mercedes-Benz will be present at WTA 1000, 500 and 250 tournaments, creating a premium experience for players, fans and guests.
With the WTA partnership and new brand ambassador Coco Gauff, Mercedes-Benz is underlining the impact of tennis as a global platform and its commitment to womens sport.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Garbine Muguruza has been named co-director of the Madrid tournament, a position she will now share with Felicino Lopez

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just looking at the entry list for the first WTA500 event of 2026, Brisbane International. Sabalenka is the current champion and she will return to defend her title
Seven of the Top 10 players will compete in Brisbane, Anisimova, Pegula, Keys, Rybakina and Alexandrova
Clara Tauson who won the ASB Classic in Auckland in 2025, but she chose to compete in Brisbane instead in 2026
17 yo Aussie Emerson Jones has been awarded the only wild card so far.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Taylor Townsend and John Williams have parted ways. During their time together, Townsend won 2 GS Doubles titles and became the first mother to be crowned Doubles World No 1.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Polina Kudermetova is now set to compete under the flag of Ozbekistan