This article is part of The Next Generation series. As the greats, such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, become the past and Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek handle the present, The Athletic explores the next generation: the rising stars who will be tasked with securing tennis’ future.
The WTA Tour is in an exciting position as an established order at the top of the rankings creates a target for the most talented players below them to hit.
The Grand Slam tournaments are largely divided between the top four: world No 1 Iga Swiatek seemingly has the French Open favourite tag sewn up; world No 2 Coco Gauff is defending U.S. Open champion; and world No 3 Aryna Sabalenka has won the last two Australian Opens.
Wimbledon, however, has seen eight different winners in its last eight editions and the U.S. Open has been similarly unpredictable, with nine different winners in the last 10.
The Grand Slams may be out of reach to the game’s rising stars for a little while, but plenty of young players are primed and ready to make a name for themselves.
Players from last year’s WTA next gen survey at The Athletic include Mirra Andreeva, who reached the French Open semifinals and won her first WTA Tour title this year, Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen and…
