7 players who could win their maiden Grand Slam title in 2025 ft. Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula
Jannik Sinner was the only first-time Major champion in 2024, though it wasn't a surprise considering the stage for his ascension was set by his impressive finish to 2023. He followed his maiden triumph at the Australian Open with a victory at the US Open. Carlos Alcaraz won the other two Majors and upped his Major count to four.
On the women's side, there were no new winners for the first time since 2014. Aryna Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title and then reigned supreme at the US Open as well. Iga Swiatek continued her dominance at the French Open, and Barbora Krejcikova had a resurgence to win Wimbledon.
While the usual suspects claimed the biggest spoils in tennis this year, that may not be the case in the coming season. On that note, here's a look at seven players who could win their first Grand Slam title in 2025:
#7 - Emma Navarro
Navarro's steady progress this season made her one of the breakout stars of the year. She won her maiden WTA title at Hobart International and went a round further at every subsequent Major. She reached the third round of the Australian Open, and then the fourth round of the French Open.
Navarro followed it up with a quarterfinal finish at Wimbledon, and lastly, a semifinal showing at the US Open. She broke into the top 10 as a result of her run in New York and eventually finished the season ranked No. 8 with a 46-22 record. Given her steady improvement, especially at the Majors, she has the potential to go all the way in 2025.
#6 - Jack Draper
Injuries often stopped Draper from taking his career to the next level. He was able to show what he's capable of after remaining healthy for an extended period of time this year. He won his maiden ATP title in Stuttgart and captured another one in Vienna towards the end of the season.
Draper also registered his best result at a Major with a semifinal appearance at the US Open, his first at a Major. He notched up a 39-22 record in 2024, peaked at No. 15 in the rankings, and tallied four top-10 wins, including a win over Alcaraz. Given his progression, a Major triumph wouldn't be out of place for him in 2025.
#5 - Ben Shelton
Shelton made the last eight at the Australian Open last year, and the semifinals of the US Open as well. However, he could only go as far as the fourth round this year, that too only once, at Wimbledon. Despite his regression at the Majors, he still remains a strong candidate to win one.
Shelton remained a steady presence in the top 20 for most of the season, though he eventually finished the year ranked 21st. While he had a 25-24 win-loss record last year, he improved it to 42-26 this season. After an underwhelming performance at the Majors this season, he will be keen to make up for it in 2025. That determination could see him claim his maiden Major title as well.
#4 - Zheng Qinwen
Zheng made a huge splash with her results this year. Her biggest achievement was winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, too by beating Swiatek on the way. She also finished as the runner-up at the Australian Open, the WTA Finals, and the Wuhan Open.
Zheng came quite close to winning some big titles this season but faltered at the final hurdle. She has shown tremendous growth this year, and if she continues on this track, then there will be no stopping her in the coming season. Aside from Wimbledon, where she has a 2-3 record, she has great odds at winning one of the other three Majors.
#3 - Jessica Pegula
After failing to advance beyond the quarterfinal stage of a Major, Pegula broke that jinx this year. When she took on Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the US Open, many assumed that the streak would continue. However, she stunned the Pole in straight sets, and then staged an incredible comeback to beat Karolina Muchova in the semifinals.
Pegula faced Sabalenka in her very first Major final and lost to her 7-5, 7-5. Having at least reached a Major final this year, she will be keen to go one step further in 2025. She has been one of the most consistent players on the tour since 2021, and usually, this kind of consistency gets rewarded. Despite some tough competition, she could capture her first Grand Slam title next year.
#2 - Taylor Fritz
Fritz has been the flagbearer of men's tennis in the US for years, and he proved exactly why this season. He advanced to his maiden Major final at the US Open, losing to Sinner. He also finished as the runner-up to the Italian at the ATP Finals. He became the first American to reach the final at the year-end championships since James Blake in 2006.
Fritz ended 2024 ranked at a career-high ranking of No. 4. After having the best season of his career, he will be brimming with confidence heading into 2025. He would have learned from his mistakes this season, and should he find himself in another Major final next year, he's unlikely to repeat them.
#1 - Alexander Zverev
Nearly four years after reaching his first Major final at the US Open, Zverev advanced to his second final at the French Open. He served for the championship the last time but couldn't close it out and lost to Dominic Thiem. He faced Alcaraz in the summit clash of the clay court, Major, and was in the driver's seat for a while.
Zverev led Alcaraz by two sets to one but eventually lost the match. The German is hands down the best player from his generation to not win a Grand Slam title. He has won the ATP Finals twice, an Olympic gold in singles, and seven Masters 1000 titles. Only Grand Slam glory has evaded him thus far.
Zverev established himself as a top player in 2017, and aside from an injury-curtailed 2022, he has ended every season since then in the top 10. He's also one of the few players to have a winning record against Sinner and Alcaraz, the tour's current reigning Major champions. At his best, he can outplay anyone, and if he holds his nerve, then he could very well be a Major champion next year.