The WTA's Match of the Year Announcement Leaves Tennis Fans Scratching Their Heads
It's that time of year again when tennis awards are dished out, but this time, it seems not everyone is thrilled with the winners. The WTA Tour has sparked controversy with its recent Match of the Year announcement, leaving fans divided and confused.
The WTA Player of the Year award went to Aryna Sabalenka, but it's the Match of the Year that has everyone talking. The Italian Open semifinal between Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng has been crowned the winner, voted for by the fans themselves. Gauff emerged victorious in a thrilling three-hour battle, but the match was not without its flaws.
"This has to be a joke!" exclaimed one fan on social media, expressing the sentiment of many. The match, which ended after midnight, saw a staggering 156 unforced errors, with Gauff contributing 82 of them. Despite the drama, some fans are questioning the decision, with one commenting, "I very much question the word 'Worthy'! There were 20 double faults in this error-strewn match."
But here's where it gets controversial... While some fans are disappointed, others are celebrating the match's entertainment value. One social media user shared, "One of my favorite matches of the year! I don't care that it was full of errors. It was a 3+ hour clay court battle between two incredible athletes."
And this is the part most people miss... Gauff and Zheng are two of the WTA Tour's most popular players, with Zheng even winning the Fan Favorite Award for the second year in a row. So, it's no surprise that their match garnered attention, regardless of the errors.
So, what's your take on the Match of the Year? Do you agree with the fans' choice, or do you think another match deserves the title? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the debate!
Previous winners of the WTA Match of the Year Award:
| Year | Match | Tournament | Result |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2013 | Maria Sharapova vs Victoria Azarenka | French Open (SF) | Sharapova beat Azarenka, 6-1 2-6 6-4 |
| 2014 | Serena Williams vs Caroline Wozniacki | WTA Finals (SF) | Williams beat Wozniacki, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) |
| 2015 | Agnieszka Radwanska vs Garbine Muguruza | WTA Finals (SF) | Radwanska beat Muguruza, 6(5)-7 6-3 7-5 |
| 2016 | Petra Kvitova vs Angelique Kerber | Wuhan Open (3R) | Kvitova beat Kerber, 6(10)-7 7-5 6-4 |
| 2017 | Caroline Garcia vs Elina Svitolina | China Open (QF) | Garcia beat Svitolina, 6(5)-7 7-5 7-6(6) |
| 2018 | Simona Halep vs Sloane Stephens | Canadian Open (F) | Halep beat Stephens, 7-6(6) 3-6 6-4 |
| 2019 | Naomi Osaka vs Bianca Andreescu | China Open (QF) | Osaka beat Andreescu, 5-7 6-3 6-4 |
| 2022 | Barbora Krejcikova vs Iga Swiatek | Ostrava Open (F) | Krejcikova beat Swiatek, 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3 |
| 2023 | Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek | Madrid Open (F) | Sabalenka beat Swiatek, 6-3 3-6 6-3 |
| 2024 | Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka | Madrid Open (F) | Swiatek beat Sabalenka, 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) |
| 2025 | Coco Gauff vs Qinwen Zheng | Italian Open (SF) | Gauff beat Zheng, 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(4) |
Although the award has sparked debate, Gauff's presence on the court this year has undoubtedly kept fans entertained. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, Gauff will aim to create more drama at the United Cup, while Zheng makes her comeback at the Australian Open after an elbow injury.
Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on the Match of the Year! Do you think the award was deserved, or should it have gone to another match? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments!
