The 2025 Grand Slam season has been one of the most dramatic, unpredictable and unforgettable tennis years in recent memory.
From breakout stars and long-awaited victories to incredible rallies and historic finals, the past nine months have been nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you’re a casual fan interested in major tennis results, or someone who keeps a close eye on tennis rankings and form, this year has offered something for everyone.
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Australian Open: New champions and old heroes
Melbourne Park once again delivered a tennis festival like no other at the Australian Open 2025 in January. With more than 1.2 million fans pouring through the gates, the “Happy Slam” tournament more than lived up to its nickname.
On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner was invincible. The Italian star defended his title in dominant fashion, brushing aside Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the final without facing a single break. That kind of performance speaks volumes not just about his physical prowess, but also about his mental focus. With his third major in the bag, Sinner was firmly at the top of his game.
The women’s draw gave fans the feel-good story of the year. Madison Keys, 30, long tipped for greatness but derailed by injuries, finally got her moment with a stunning victory in the final over Aryna Sabalenka, who had won the previous two Australian Opens. This was Keys’ first Grand Slam title in her 46th appearance at a major.
Off the court, Andy Murray returned to Melbourne in a new role, coaching Novak Djokovic, after retiring in August 2024. However, the iconic Scot made a surprise return to the court ahead of the tournament, teaming up with Victoria Azarenka in a lighthearted exhibition doubles match against Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen at Rod Laver Arena.
Murray apologised to the crowd for his performance, admitting he was a bit rusty. Despite narrowly losing the match, his appearance was a crowd pleaser, bringing nostalgia and laughs to the “Night with Novak” evening.
The tournament also saw breakthrough performances from rising stars like Lorenzo Sonego, Ben Shelton, Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, who took down established names including Rublev and Medvedev. The junior and wheelchair tournaments also made history, with expanded draws and dramatic finishes highlighting the growing inclusivity within tennis.
French Open: The longest final in history
If the Australian Open was about breakthroughs, the French Open, from 19th May to 8th June, turned into a clash of Titans. The men’s singles final between multiple Grand Slam winners Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was the longest French Open final in history, ending after at a mind blowing five hours and 29 minutes.
Down two sets and facing Championship points, Alcaraz clawed his way back in the most thrilling match of the season. With this win, the Spaniard defended his Roland Garros title and added a fifth major to his resume.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff finally had her breakthrough on clay, defeating world number one Sabalenka in the final to win her second Grand Slam title. She had long shown promise on the surface, but this was the moment she truly delivered. Iga Swiatek, the queen of clay, lost in the semifinals to Sabalenka, ending her three-year reign in Paris.
The French Open was filled with memorable tennis, unexpected results, thrilling rallies and intense emotional swings, proving once again that clay demands stamina, skill and an iron will.
Wimbledon: Grass-court glory
The Wimbledon Championships 2025, on the famous grass courts of the All England Club, offered up perhaps the most surprising stories of all. Staged between 20th June and 13th July, the tournament saw Sinner triumph again, this time over Alcaraz in the men’s final, making him the undisputed “King of Grass”.
However, it was the upsets that got people talking. On the women’s side, Swiatek finally conquered grass, winning the final against Amanda Anisimova in commanding fashion (6-0, 6-0) after years of being seen as simply a clay-court specialist. Meanwhile, August Holmgren, the 27-year-old Dane ranked number 192 in the world, stormed into the third round after saving match points to beat top 20 seed Tomáš Macháč in a dramatic five-set epic.
Meanwhile, the off-court story of Rufus the Hawk – Wimbledon’s official pigeon deterrent – continued to charm fans. Alongside handler Donna Davis, the mighty bird became a social media star, reminding us that the quirks of Wimbledon are part of what makes it special.
Let’s not forget the condition of the courts. Wimbledon’s immaculate grass is a direct result of world-class tennis courts maintenance including daily mowing and precise watering. These efforts not only ensure a beautiful spectacle, but also maximise player safety and performance.
US Open: Wrapping up the season in style
The 2025 Open season ended at Flushing Meadows, where Sabalenka successfully defended her women’s title to beat a revitalised Anisimova, who came back stronger after her crushing Wimbledon defeat. Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win back-to-back US Opens. Her final was a test of nerves, but she proved her grit and class to secure her fourth Grand Slam title.
On the men’s side, Alcaraz was once again unstoppable. He breezed past an ailing Djokovic in the semis and set up a thrilling final on 7th September with Sinner – their third such showdown of the year – at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard secured his sixth Grand Slam title with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over the defending champion.
In doubles, the British team of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski fell agonisingly short in the final, while in junior and wheelchair divisions, new talent emerged, signalling the depth and diversity of the sport. Japanese Paralympic champion Oda Tokito, 19, completed his Career Golden Slam by winning the men’s wheelchair singles title, after a gruelling 24-point tiebreak against Gustavo Fernández. This meant he was victorious in all four Grand Slam singles titles in 2025.
The hot New York summer also highlighted the importance of stringent tennis court cleaning and maintenance, especially on acrylic hard courts that see heavy use. At a tournament with as much foot traffic and play as the US Open, keeping playing surfaces clean and well-maintained was critical for performance and to prevent injuries.
Takeaways from 2025
What did 2025 teach us? First, the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner seems inevitable for the foreseeable future. Secondly, the breakthroughs of Keys and Gauff – and the success of new young players – point to a fascinating transitional period in tennis.
We may have seen the last of Murray on court, after his shock split from Djokovic just before Wimbledon. The former world number one is pursuing a new career. He will help launch the Redrice Sports Collective, a collaboration between athlete advisers and decision-makers to invest in sports opportunities.
Finally, never overlook the infrastructure that makes all of this possible. From the manicured lawns of Wimbledon to the sun-soaked hard courts of New York, professional tennis court maintenance is what allows the sport to be played continually at the highest level.