The WTA continued its end-of-season celebrations on Friday by unveiling another round of annual awards, following the initial group of winners announced earlier in the week. These honors recognize outstanding performances and contributions across the 2025 season, both on and off the court.
Earlier announcements saw world number one Aryna Sabalenka named Player of the Year after a dominant campaign. The doubles pairing of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend earned recognition as the year’s top doubles team, while Amanda Anisimova was voted Most Improved Player after a standout season that included appearances in two Grand Slam finals. Rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, just 19 years old, was rewarded for her breakthrough year with the Newcomer of the Year award.
Notably absent from the first wave of accolades were several high-profile players, including Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek and world number three Coco Gauff. While Swiatek remained overlooked, Gauff would soon receive a significant honor of her own—one that carried both prestige and historical weight.
The American star was awarded the Jerry Diamond ACES Award, an honor Sabalenka herself had claimed at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Introduced in 1995 to honor the late former WTA CEO Jerry Diamond, the award recognizes players who go above and beyond in promoting women’s tennis beyond match results.
According to the WTA, Gauff was selected for her consistent efforts and commitment to engaging fans, working with the media, and making a positive impact in local communities. By winning the ACES Award, Gauff joins an elite group of past recipients that includes Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, and Sabalenka, further cementing her influence within the sport.
Elsewhere, Jessica Pegula was honored with the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, while Hendrik Vleeshouwers—Anisimova’s coach and mentor—was recognized as Coach of the Year for his role in her rise.
On the court, Gauff’s 2025 season was a story of resilience and momentum shifts. The year began unevenly, with the 21-year-old falling short of expectations during the early months. She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open but struggled to find consistency afterward, suffering several premature exits at major WTA 1000 events. Her runs in Doha and Dubai ended in the second round, while Indian Wells and Miami saw her bow out in the fourth round.
However, her fortunes changed dramatically during the clay-court stretch. Gauff reached consecutive finals at the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, signaling a return to top form. Though she narrowly lost to Sabalenka in Madrid and was defeated by hometown favorite Jasmine Paolini in Rome, her confidence continued to build.
That momentum carried into Roland Garros, where Gauff delivered a championship-winning performance to capture her second Grand Slam title. While the remainder of the grass-court season and the North American hard-court swing proved underwhelming, she rediscovered her best tennis during the Asian leg of the tour.
Strong showings at the China Open, where she reached the semifinals, and a title-winning run at the Wuhan Open—her third WTA 1000 crown—helped close her season on a high note.
Gauff concluded 2025 with an impressive 48–16 win-loss record and earnings totaling $7,969,845, reinforcing her status as one of the sport’s most impactful figures both competitively and culturally.
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