Four predictions for what will happen in tennis in 2025

2024 was a great year for tennis. Fans watched as Jannik Sinner won his first two Grand Slam events and then dominated at the end of the year as well. He became the first Italian to finish as the year-end No. 1.

On the WTA side, Aruna Sabalenka finished at No. 1 for the first time. She won't begin next year with a large point lead, though. That means tennis lovers will probably be highly entertained by what happens in women's tennis in 2025.

This year, we did see several retirements of great players. Andy Murray bowed out in the summer. Rafael Nadal finished at the Davis Cup. Dominic Thiem also hung up his racket. Thankfully, Danielle Collins chose not to retire and she will return next year.

Four predictions for what will happen in tennis in 2025

Jannik Sinner won't be suspended

Let's hope that the International Tennis Integrity Agency was correct in its finding that Sinner did nothing intentionally wrong after he failed two drug tests at Indian Wells in March for testing positive for the banned substance clostebol. The only issue he had was losing the points gained at Indian Wells and any prize money earned at the event. Tennis would be wrecked if Sinner was later suspended after the year he had in 2024.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed Sinner being found innocent and wants the Italian banned for up to two years. There are a couple of things on Sinner's side. One is that he seemingly did not have much of the substance in his body - not enough to truly be performance-enhancing. The other part is he has been found innocent previously. Tennis fans need the Court of Arbitration for Sport to find Sinner innocent as well.

Coco Gauff reaches No. 1 for the first time

Currently, Gauff trails Sabalenka by almost 3,000 ranking points, and No. 2 Iga Swiatek by a bit more than 1,800. Catching up to Sabalenka and Swiatek fast is not going to be easy for Gauff. Her poor form this past summer could help her a great deal by the summer of 2025, however. She only reached the fourth rounds at the French Open and Wimbledon, and she struggled to reach the quarterfinals in any event for almost three months.

Then she fired her coach, Brad Gilbert, and her year began to turn around, including winning the WTA Finals in November. She will probably be in greater and more consistent form next year so she could reach the top ranking by September.

Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open and then...

Djokovic has won 10 titles in Melbourne, but he didn't win any major in 2024. He has since changed coaches and will be working with Andy Murray through the Aussie Open. The story of Murray and Djokovic teaming up to help the Serb win his 25th major title is just too juicy not to happen, right? Let's hope it does. But after winning the Aussie Open, Djokovic will announce his retirement.

Elena Rybakina will win Wimbledon for the second time

Rybakina had a tumultuous year and withdrew or retired from double-digit tournaments. She finally moved away from her verbally abusive long-term coach late this year, and she is now working with Goran Ivanisevic. That will help her refocus, believe more in herself, and get her second Grand Slam victory.

More tennis news and analysis: