After a series of unexpected defeats at the Australian Open, Dubai Open, and Qatar Open, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka are facing an uncharacteristically challenging start to their 2025 season.
Gauff, ranked No. 3 in the world, was knocked out in the Melbourne quarter-finals by Paula Badosa before suffering back-to-back early exits in Qatar and Dubai. The American struggled with her serve and forehand in Doha, where she lost 6-2, 7-5 to Marta Kostyuk, and then fell 6-4, 7-5 to compatriot McCartney Kessler in Dubai.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Sabalenka has yet to regain her rhythm following her Australian Open final loss. She was defeated by Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 in Doha and then fell 7-6, 6-4 to Clara Tauson in Dubai, extending her post-Melbourne slump.
Swiatek has fared slightly better, reaching the semi-finals in Qatar and the quarter-finals in Dubai. However, both exits came as surprises, particularly in Dubai, where the world No. 2 was stunned by 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva in a straight-sets 6-3, 6-3 loss that sent shockwaves through the tennis world.
The string of unexpected defeats among the WTA’s top three players has sparked speculation about the underlying cause. Swiatek believes the issue lies in the WTA’s scheduling, arguing that the demanding tour calendar is taking a toll on the top-ranked players.
“It’s a calendar thing. Like, we’re not going to be able to be consistent for many years playing week by week,” she told a reporter when asked about her struggles.
“Also it’s not like some time ago that outside of, like, top-20 players, they were just getting destroyed more. Now anybody can win these tournaments. It has been like that for a couple of years.
“But I feel like the calendar is not helping. Again, like, we need to switch continents, we need to switch surfaces, we need to switch the balls. Yeah, it’s not easy. I’m not surprised.”
Swiatek’s assessment holds weight, especially considering that several top-10 WTA players have struggled with consistency this year amid a demanding and unpredictable schedule.
World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini has managed just four singles wins since the start of the year and was unable to defend her Dubai Open title. Similarly, world No. 5 Jessica Pegula has recorded only five victories, suffering an early exit in Dubai after losing her second match to Linda Noskova. Meanwhile, world No. 8 Qinwen Zheng has won just one match in 2025.
World No. 9 Emma Navarro started the year strong with a quarter-final run at the Australian Open but has since managed only two wins.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka has pointed to the abrupt shift from Australia to the Middle East as a key factor in her recent struggles, echoing concerns about the tour’s demanding schedule.
“I’d say that for the last couple of years, I’m not doing well in the Middle East. I believe we need to change something in the preparation,” said Sabalenka.
“Because every time I don’t feel well playing here, health-wise I’m struggling. Australia always taking a lot of energy out of me.
“I believe that I’m not that hungry on court. I’m kind of like all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent. The decisions I’m making on the court are a bit wrong, and emotionally, I’m not on my best.”
Sabalenka will be eager to regain her form quickly, as the hard-court season—her strongest surface—is nearing its end.
Indian Wells and the Miami Open are set to begin in early March, marking the final major hard-court events before the clay season takes over later in the month.
The next Grand Slam, the French Open, where Swiatek has claimed four titles, is scheduled to begin on May 25.
