Tennis Stars Battle for Rankings Ahead of Season Finale

BEIJING, China — As the 2025 tennis season approaches its final stretch, players are vying for crucial rankings ahead of the WTA and ATP Finals. Several major tournaments in Asia will play a key role in determining who finishes the year as world No. 1.

The action kicked off last week with the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, and Seoul, South Korea, where Iga Swiatek took home the title. Currently, there are 12 WTA tournaments in Asia and six ATP events, making this a crucial time for players.

Swiatek’s recent victory puts her within striking distance of Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA rankings. If she wins the ongoing WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, where Sabalenka is absent, she could reduce the points gap to under 600.

In contrast, Sabalenka is expected to return for the tournament in Wuhan, where she is a three-time defending champion. Both players have already qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals.

The upcoming three prestigious events in China—Beijing, Wuhan, and the ATP Masters tournament in Shanghai—offer significant points and prize money, attracting top talent. Notably, the Beijing event has seen wins from notable players like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.

On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic will return to Shanghai after a historic season that included all four Grand Slam semifinals. Even at 38, he is third in the ATP points race as he prepares for the ATP Finals.

Another highlight is Zheng Qinwen’s return after elbow surgery. The Chinese player previously garnered attention by reaching high rankings and capturing singles gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Despite her absence, Zheng remains in contention for the WTA Finals, although only two spots have been filled is by Sabalenka and Swiatek. Other players also fighting for qualification include Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula.

In the ATP, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have already qualified for the Finals, leaving six spots open. With several tournaments still left to impact standings, the competition is fierce as players chase down the coveted spots.

As the season culminates, the results in these upcoming weeks will be pivotal for athletes aiming to secure their legacy, not only for the 2025 season but beyond.