AS THE 2025 WTA Tour season is on the verge of getting underway, we highlight five players who we feel are best suited to crack into the Top 100 for the first time next year. These players are those who have yet to break through into the Top 100, with their previous career-high sitting just outside it, and might be a star on the rise, or an older player who has had to battle injuries over the last few years.

Polina Kudermetova (Russia | 21YO | 106 CH | 107 CR)

The younger sister of Veronika, Kudermetova seems an easy and safe choice to crack into the Top 100 for the first time. The rising Russian is now ranked 106th and entered in qualifying at the upcoming Brisbane International. If she can go deep in that tournament – semi-finals or later – she would get there in the first week of 2025. However more likely she will need a couple more to achieve the feat. Still, she is one who if she stays fit, will almost certainly get there.

Maya Joint (Australia | 18YO | 110 CH | 116 CR)

The Aussie teenager had a breakout year last year and exceeded all expectations. She was set to go to college in the United States – where she was born – in Texas which might keep her out of a fair few tournaments. However after winning a couple of ITF circuit finals and holding her own in WTA events in the second half of the year. Quickly rising into the top few Aussies, Joint could also feature at Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup if available.

Eva Lys (Germany | 22YO | 105 CH | 131 CR)

Perhaps an underrated player on the WTA Tour, Lys is one who made leaps and bounds in 2024. Earning a place in Germany’s BJK Cup side, Lys has been a consistent performer on the ITF Tour and started to make consistent inroads at WTA Tour level by getting through qualifying in the last three Grand Slams. Turning 23 on January 12, Lys should be ready to have a breakout year in 2025.

Sara Saito (Japan | 18YO | 150 CH | 150 CR)

Keep an eye out for the next big Japanese talent. Saito showed some serious talent through the junior ranks this season and has transitioned to senior tennis after turning 18. She has a well rounded counter-punching game and in her most recent win, toppled former Top 15 player Petra Martic. Saito is also a budding doubles player, reaching Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open, French Open and US open in 2023.

Sara Bejlek (Czech Republic | 114 CH | 161 CR)

Another teenage hope with plenty of upside, Bejlek burst onto the WTA Tour scene properly in Madrid this year, making it through to the fourth round with victories over Anna Blinkova, Anna Kaliskaya and Ashlyn Kreuger along the way. That helped her reach the career-high 114th in the world, and though Bejlek did her best work on the ITF Tour, reached back-to-back finals in W75 and W125 events last month.