Tennis fans, brace yourselves for a debate! Two of the sport’s biggest stars, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, have just crowned their pick for the most improved ATP player of 2025—and it’s not who you might expect. But here’s where it gets controversial: while they’ve singled out an American player for this honor, the official award went to someone else entirely. Let’s dive into the details and unpack the surprises.
Earlier this year, Pegula and Keys made headlines by naming Victoria Mboko as the most improved WTA player. However, the actual award went to Amanda Anisimova, whose stellar run to the Wimbledon and US Open finals solidified her case. This decision left many fans scratching their heads, proving once again that tennis awards can be as unpredictable as the sport itself. And this is the part most people miss: despite the WTA’s official choice, Pegula and Keys stood by their pick, sparking a conversation about what truly defines 'improvement' in tennis.
Now, shifting gears to the ATP Tour, the duo has set their sights on an American player who’s had a breakout year. Ben Shelton, who skyrocketed from outside the top 20 to a career-high world No. 5, is their undisputed choice. Shelton’s triumph at the Canadian Open—his first Masters 1000 title—coupled with a semifinal run at the Australian Open, has made him a force to be reckoned with. Pegula also tipped her hat to Indian Wells champion Jack Draper, but Shelton’s meteoric rise sealed the deal for her.
Here’s the twist: the ATP’s 'Most Improved Player' award was rebranded as the 'Breakthrough of the Year' award in 2025, and it went to Valentin Vacherot for his shocking Shanghai Masters victory. So, while Shelton didn’t officially receive the title, Pegula and Keys’ endorsement is a testament to his remarkable progress. But here’s the question: Did the ATP get it right, or should Shelton have been the one holding that trophy?
And the debate doesn’t stop there. Pegula and Keys also crowned their match of the year, newcomer of the year, and the best Grand Slam moment. Unsurprisingly, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s French Open final topped their list—a match many consider one of the greatest ever. For newcomer of the year, they chose Alexandra Eala, who stunned Keys en route to the Miami Open semifinals. However, the official WTA award went to Mboko, leaving fans divided once again. Finally, Keys herself earned a nod when Pegula and co-hosts Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk named her Australian Open victory as the Grand Slam moment of the year—a career-defining win she’ll aim to defend in January.
So, here’s the burning question: Do you agree with Pegula and Keys’ picks, or do you think the official awards got it right? Let’s keep the conversation going. Who’s your favorite WTA player right now? What’s your match of the year from the 2025 season? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we want to hear from you!
