2025 WTA News & Gossip

[MargaretMcAleer]

NOTE:
Rybakina not only qualifies for Riyadh but surpasses Paolini for the 7th seed ( and no 6 ranking)
If she defeats Noskova in the Tokyo SF, she'll overtake Keys for the No 6 seed at the Finals

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

As I've said, Rybakina is one of the biggest underachievers in the women's game. She certainly has the talent to be the #1 player in the world and win many slams, as she has proven these past few weeks. The problem is that she doesn't do it all the time, and that's very frustrating.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In the last QF match in Japan, Bencic (5) defeated Muchova (8) 36 75 75 and she will play Kenin in the SF, Bencic has been playing good ball in Japan this week, likes playing on this court won the gold medal here 4 years ago.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA500 Pan Pacific, Japan
Saturday 25th October,
SFs,

Rybakina (20 vs Noskova (6) Elena leads their H2H 3-0
Bencic (5) vs Kenin (10) Kenin leads their H2H 2-0

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra Kvitova is pregnant with her second child, announced on her instragram page,
" Our little boy will soon become a big brother'
The news comes after she retired from professional tennis following the 2025 US Open.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

As I've said, Rybakina is one of the biggest underachievers in the women's game. She certainly has the talent to be the #1 player in the world and win many slams, as she has proven these past few weeks. The problem is that she doesn't do it all the time, and that's very frustrating.

Elena might have the talent, though to me she is missing one important factor, she hasnt got the 'champions mentality' I have seen that time and time again when she has been in winning situations and loses. Prime example Berlin QF 2025, Elena was up 6-2 in the final TB against Sabalenka and ended up losing 76(6) she just 'Imploded Mentally"

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jasmine Paolini has been selected as a torch bearer for 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the SF in Tokyo ( having back problems all week ) and cant play 100% Noshova gets a walk over to the final in Tokyo

 

[Hoergren]

Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the SF in Tokyo ( having back problems all week ) and cant play 100% Noshova gets a walk to the final in Tokyo

Don't you mean Noskova has withdrawn? Rybakina has NOT had any problems all week. MY MISTAKE - can now see you are righjt - and then Rybakina shouldn't be allowed to play in the WTA finals.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Don't you mean Noskova has withdrawn? Rybakina has NOT had any problems all week.

No, Rybakina has withdrawn, citing back problems all week and cant play at 100%, of course she hasnt had any problems with her serve at all,
Translation, Elena has already made the WTA finals, and is saving herself for the finals, quite frankly I am not surprised at all!

 

[Hoergren]

No, Rybakina has withdrawn, citing back problems all week and cant play at 100%, of course she hasnt had any problems with her serve at all,
Translation, Elena has already made the WTA finals, and is saving herself for the finals, quite frankly I am not surprised at all!

Yeah just saw that - and I have seen all Rybakinas matches this week and she had NO backproblems so as I edited above - she should not be allowed to play The Finals.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Yeah just saw that - and I have seen all Rybakinas matches this week and she had NO backproblems so as I edited above - she should not be allowed to play The Finals.

I definitely agree with you. This withdrawal is suspicious. With the gambling busts going on in the sports world, this should definitely be investigated.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yeah just saw that - and I have seen all Rybakinas matches this week and she had NO backproblems so as I edited above - she should not be allowed to play The Finals.

This may come back to bite her big time in the WTA finals, Elena has put forward the reason why she dosent feel she can play at 100% and it has been accepted, so it cant be investigated, and she will be allowed to play in the WTA finals. she has been complaining of being tired in her match press conferences, she is just saving herself, and I repeat I am not surprised
BTW this isnt the first time a player that has made WTA finals and has opted out/withdrawn after qualifying
BTW there are a lot of people on social media agreeing with her withdrawal, saying good to save her body for the WTA finals
BTW today in the mens tournaments there have been 3 retirements out of nowhere, probably saving themselves for the Paris Masters, where there are more points on offer.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bencic and Kenin are on court doing their warm up, at least they turned up to play lol!

 

[Hoergren]

This may come back to bite her big time in the WTA finals, Elena has put forward the reason why she dosent feel she can play at 100% and it has been accepted, so it cant be investigated, and she will be allowed to play in the WTA finals. she has been complaining of being tired in her match press conferences, she is just saving herself, and I repeat I am not surprised
BTW this isnt the first time a player that has made WTA finals and has opted out/withdrawn after qualifying
BTW there are a lot of people on social media agreeing with her withdrawal, saying good to save her body for the WTA finals
BTW today in the mens tournaments there have been 3 retirements out of nowhere, probably saving themselves for the Paris Masters, where there are more points on offer.

Yeah I see the arguments. Then there is another way - forbid tournaments at this lewel in the last week before the WTA finals

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Both Bencic anfd

Yeah I see the arguments. Then there is another way - forbid tournaments at this lewel in the last week before the WTA finals

Well that is not fair for other players, who might want points to further their ranking for the 2025 season
Remember that Jasmine and Rybakina were the last 2 players that needed to play these last couple of WTA500 tournaments to qualify for the WTA finals, it was that close.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A tight 1st set between Bencic and Kenin, both producing great shots off the ground, Kenin has remained cool and calm this year, usually she is a very highly strung player, who can lose her cool and focus at times
Kenin serving to force a TB for the 1st set
6 games all. TB for the 1st set
Bencic with her trade mark bhand, just great to watch brings up SP
Bencic 1st set 76(5)
Both players traded breaks in the 2nd set, Bencic looks tired to me and she is frustrated as Kenin refuses to go away., Kenin's fhand has been 'on song' in this match she broke and has consolidated and leads 5-2 with Bencic to serve.Bencic has this new serving motion which she has employed during the Asian swing, lifting her elbow higher, I dont know if this will be successful for the future, though it has

been successful in the match so far, only a couple of DFs.
Great fhand winner from Kenin as she takes the 2nd set 63
Going 3
Bencic with a ROS bhand winner breaks and consolidates and leads 4-1 3rd set, both players look very weary at present
MP for Bencic with a great BH winner
Bencic d Kenin 76(5) 36 62 it was a battle but Belinda got it done, Kenin even though she lost today, the best I have seen her play in this tournament for sometime.
Bencic W 47 UFE 27 BPs 3/0
Kenin W 50 UFE 36 Bps 2/7


Bencic will play Noskova who got a walk over to the final by Rybakina.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA500 Pan Pacific Open, Japan,
Sunday 26th October
Ladies Singles Final,

Belinda Bencic (5) vs Linda Noskova (6) This is their first meeting

Ladies Doubles Final,

Danilina/Krunic (3) vs Babos/Stefani (4)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Belinda and Linda on court doing their warm up
The roof is closed, due to wet weather, though the roof has been closed almost all week
Belinda to serve first
Bencic has been rock solid so far in this 1st set, breaks Linda with her trade mark BH and consolidates leading 5-2
Bencic with 2 SP and with a great ROS wins the 1st set 62, taking time away from Linda.,and seeing the ball early
Linda has had a couple of chances with BPs early in the 2nd set, pushing her shots, needs more controlled aggression on her shots
Bencic breaks good ROS bh winner, also DF from Linda didnt help her cause
Bencic 5-3 and will serve for the match and the title in Japan
CH point for Bencic, her serve has been on 'song' today
Well done Belinda a strong performance from you today and well deserved 62 63 over Noskova to win the title in Tokyo
Belinda wins her 10 WTA title and will be back to No 11 when the new rankings come out on Monday

Bencic W 23 UFE 13 Aces 6 BPs 3/6
Linda W 28 UFE 37 Aces 4 BPs 0/10

 

[Hoergren]

10 years ago she lost the final - now she wins her 10th title - back with an impressive play

As always a lovely trophy

Must be nice for her two Japanese main sponsors