Top WTA Stars Struggling to Find Form in 2025 – Gauff, Swiatek, and Rybakina Face Uncertainties

The 2025 tennis season is already delivering surprises – many not in a positive light. While young talents like Mirra Andreeva and Zheng Qinwen are captivating audiences, a clutch of established stars are grappling with inconsistencies, mental hurdles, or the grueling demands of the WTA calendar. Coco Gauff, Gauff’s momentum failed to translate into 2025. She encountered a quarterfinal defeat against Paula Badosa in Australia, followed by disappointing showings in Doha and Dubai. A Masters series campaign in Indian Wells and Miami culminated in a round-of-16 exit against Mirra Andreeva. The shift to working with Matt Daley, implemented in September, appears to be having an effect that is yet to fully resolve itself.

Iga Swiatek: Navigating a Difficult Comeback

The former world number one, Iga Swiatek, returned from a doping suspension in January, but has struggled to recapture her previous dominance.

“The constant pressure and the lack of regeneration phases would have a negative impact on their performance.”

A semi-final loss to Madison Keys at the Australian Open was followed by a disappointing result in Abu Dhabi against Jelena Ostapenko. She subsequently faltered in Dubai and Indian Wells, losing to Swiatek against Andieva in Miami, ultimately falling to Ashlyn Krueger in the round of 64. The frequent shifts between court surfaces and the exhausting travel schedule are contributing factors.

Elena Rybakina: Form Fluctuations and Off-Court Concerns

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has expressed concerns around her court performances.

“I’m not feeling confident on the court’.”

She was defeated by Madison Keys in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Since then, she’s faced further setbacks, including losses to Swiatek in Abu Dhabi, Swiatek, Andieva, and most recently, a surprise exit against Ashlyn Krueger in Miami. Adding to the distractions, Rybakina has been embroiled in controversy surrounding allegations of abuse related to her trainer and partner, Stefano Vukov.

Common Challenges – The Demanding Schedule

A recurring theme in discussions with these players is the immense pressure exerted by the demanding WTA schedule. The combination of frequent travel, grueling matches, and limited recovery time appears to be negatively impacting performance. There’s no immediate solution in sight, mirroring issues faced by players on the ATP tour.

Did you know? The clay-court season is known for testing a player’s stamina and mental fortitude, intensifying the pressure on these already struggling stars.

Call to Action: Share your thoughts on these players’ performances in the comments below!