80% of media voted for Sabalenka as Player of Year

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been named WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after spending the entire 2025 at the top of the rankings, the governing body of women's tennis announced on Dec 15.

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The Belarusian capped a dominant 2025 campaign by successfully defending her US Open title.

The 27-year-old finished as runner-up at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the WTA Finals, and played in the semifinals of Wimbledon.

As she retained the year-end No. 1 ranking for a second straight year, Sabalenka also set a single-season prize money record of US$15,008,519 (S$19,365,000).

"She earned almost 80 per cent of the media's vote following a dominant season in which she reached the most finals (nine), won the most titles (four), picked up the most wins (63)," said the WTA.

Sabalenka will face 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition match on Dec 28 in a battle-of-the-sexes clash.

Amanda Anisimova was voted the Most Improved Player, having also been nominated for Player of the Year.