After a thrilling opening week, what’s ahead on the WTA season?

The first week of the Hologic WTA Tour 2025 season was bonkers -- at four Down Under tournament sites in four different time zones.
At the same time Aryna Sabalenka
Gauff, who won all seven of her singles and doubles matches, was named MVP in her first United Cup appearance. After losing 11 of her first 12 matches against Swiatek, she’s won two in a row.
“I’m really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said. “I knew how important it was to get that 1-0 start. I just dug deep and, you know, got that win. Yeah, I got the shovel out.”
In Auckland, four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka
Whew! And the best part? We’re just getting started.
Here are some of the compelling storylines we’re looking forward to in 2025:
Sabalenka sets sights on Melbourne and a rare Australian Open three-peat
She had just won her fifth straight match to start the season, taking the Brisbane International title, but Sabalenka was already looking forward.
“Yeah,” she told reporters on Sunday, “I’m going to Melbourne tonight. I have how many hours?”
Three-and-a-half, she was told.
“Oh, my God,” Sabalenka said, feigning alarm. “I have three-and-a-half hours before my flight. Tomorrow … probably day off. Going to spend day in Melbourne just a little chill, some physio probably, recovery stuff, and back to work.
“OK, guys, you know? I need to go -- no, I’m kidding.”
Sabalenka, completely in her element, smiled a champion’s smile.
Beginning next Sunday at the Australian Open, the World No.1 will be favored to win her third straight title. How badly does she want it?
“Well,” she said in an interview with wtatennis.com minutes after beating qualifier Polina Kudermetova
“I mean, it’s a Grand Slam, you know? Doesn’t matter how many times you won it before. You want to hold that beautiful trophy. Yeah, you want to get another Slam in your pocket, so I want it badly and I’m really hungry for that.”
This will be the overarching storyline for the coming fortnight: Can Sabalenka pull off the rare three-peat?
Only five women in the Open era -- Hall of Famers all -- have done it Down Under: Margaret Court (1969-71), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-76), Steffi Graf (1988-90), Monica Seles (1991-93) and Martina Hingis (1997-99).
Since the turn of the century, only three women have managed back-to-back titles: Serena Williams (2009-10), Victoria Azarenka
After winning in Brisbane, Sabalenka was asked if she’s approaching the invincible stage.
“I mean, that’s sport,” she said. “That’s why sport is so beautiful, because you cannot be sure about everything. Every time you’re out there, you have to compete, you have to fight, you have to show why you are World No. 1 or why you’re in Top 10.
“I love to fight for my dream. That’s the conditions [Melbourne] where I feel really comfortable in. I’m just super excited heading to the Australian Open.”
She ended her press conference, saying, “Oh, my God, I have to pack.”
The race for No.1 is on
For the better part of three years, it’s been Sabalenka and Swiatek at the top of the rankings. Last year, Sabalenka snagged the No.1 ranking for eight weeks until Swiatek won her last 11 matches to regain it. This year, Sabalenka swapped spots again and has been No.1 for 12 consecutive weeks now -- and counting. With both players making significant tweaks to their games (Swiatek has a new coach, Wim Fissette), it should be a fascinating race to the WTA Finals.
Building momentum: Gauff, Paolini, Zheng, and Rybakina eye big 2025
Who will challenge them? No.3 Gauff won the year-end title in Riyadh and went 5-0 in singles at the United Cup without dropping a set. No.4 Jasmine Paolini
HEAR IT FOR TEAM USA 📣 🇺🇸#unitedcup pic.twitter.com/CDqQhBFQNn
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
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