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Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Spanish phenom and Belarusian powerhouse recognized by prestigious sports publication after finishing year atop world rankings.
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka emerged as the defining figures of professional tennis in 2025, with both players concluding the season ranked number one in their respective tours and earning top honors from Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
The 22-year-old Spaniard captured eight titles throughout the year, highlighted by Grand Slam triumphs at Roland Garros and the US Open. His trophy haul also included three ATP Masters 1000 victories at Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati, along with ATP 500 titles in Rotterdam, at Queen’s Club, and in Tokyo.
Alcaraz posted an impressive 71-9 match record and led all tennis players in prize money with $21.36 million in on-court earnings.
For the second time in his young career, Alcaraz finished the season as ATP Year-End No. 1, cementing his status as the sport’s premier male player.
Sabalenka’s season proved equally dominant. The Belarusian held the WTA No. 1 ranking throughout the entire year and made history by becoming the first woman since Serena Williams over a decade ago to successfully defend her US Open championship. She reached the finals at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals, and captured four titles overall, including two at the 1000 level.
Her 63-12 record earned her $13.1 million in prize money, ranking third in tennis behind only Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
In Marca’s prestigious “Los 100 del Deporte” awards, Alcaraz was elected Spanish athlete of the year through public voting, securing 44.37% of votes to finish ahead of MotoGP rider Marc Marquez and climber Alberto Ginés.
Sabalenka received honors in the international female athletes category, surpassing Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh and Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet.
The recognition extended beyond Marca’s awards.
Both players were named ITF World Champions, with Sabalenka earning the distinction for the second time. At the US Open, they each received the largest single prize in tennis history at $5 million.
The awards and accolades reflected what the 2025 season clearly demonstrated: Alcaraz and Sabalenka were the dominant forces in tennis, combining remarkable consistency, Grand Slam success, and year-long excellence to earn their status as the world’s best players.
