Featuring a blend of seasoned champions, rising stars, and the much-anticipated return of fan-favorite Ons Jabeur, the 2025 Brisbane International promises to enthrall tennis fans across the globe.
The 2025 Brisbane International WTA
500 tournament promises an electrifying
start to the tennis season, with top
players Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa,
Emma Navarro, and the returning Ons
Jabeur headlining the competition. This
48-player event is packed with elite
talent, featuring 16 seeded competitors
and a dynamic mix of established stars
and rising prospects.
A Competitive Field and Notable Absences.
The defending champion, Elena
Rybakina, will not return to Brisbane as
she leads Kazakhstan in the United Cup.
World No. 7 Jessica Pegula is also missing
after a late withdrawal. However, the
field remains fierce, with 10 of the WTA’s
top 20 players in action.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters as
the top seed and a strong title favorite.
The three-time Grand Slam champion
will aim to reclaim the trophy after
finishing as the runner-up last year.
Sabalenka’s tournament run will begin
in the second round against either
Viktoriya Tomova or Renata Zarazua,
thanks to her first-round bye. She is
projected to meet Yulia Putintseva in the
third round, followed by a potential
quarterfinal against either Jelena
Ostapenko or Victoria Azarenka.
Possible Semifinal Showdowns.
Sabalenka’s path could lead her to an
exciting semifinal clash with fourth-
seeded Paula Badosa. Badosa, ranked No.
12 globally, is looking to establish her
presence early in the season. She will
open her campaign against the winner of
the match between Elina Avanesyan and
Rebecca Šramková.
Second-seeded Emma Navarro, ranked
No. 8, has also emerged as a contender.
The American will face either Australian
wildcards Priscilla Hon or Kimberly
Birrell in her opening match. Third-
seeded Daria Kasatkina, the world No. 9,
will kickstart her run against Veronika
Kudermetova or Peyton Stearns.
Sabalenka’s Quest for More.
After Brisbane, Sabalenka will turn her
focus to the Australian Open, where she
is the two-time defending champion. Her
preparation in Brisbane could set the
tone for another dominant season. She
may encounter challenges from several
formidable opponents in the final stages
of this tournament, including Navarro,
Badosa, Kasatkina, and others like Mirra
Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Diana
Shnaider, or Anna Kalinskaya.
Ons Jabeur’s Return.
A key storyline is the return of Ons
Jabeur. The 30-year-old Tunisian, a three-
time Grand Slam runner-up, has been
sidelined since August due to a shoulder
injury. Jabeur, who has dropped to No. 42
in the WTA rankings, will play her first
competitive match in nearly five months
against China’s Zheng Saisai. While
unseeded, Jabeur’s creativity and
experience make her a potential dark
horse in the draw.
Seeds to Watch.
The tournament’s seeded players
promise thrilling matches throughout
the week:
1. Aryna Sabalenka. (World No. 1)
2. Emma Navarro. (World No. 8)
3. Daria Kasatkina. (World No. 9)
4. Paula Badosa. (World No. 12)
5. Diana Shnaider.
6. Anna Kalinskaya.
7. Jelena Ostapenko.
8. Mirra Andreeva.
9. Marta Kostyuk.
10. Victoria Azarenka.
11. Magdalena Frech.
12. Linda Noskova.
13. Liudmila Samsonova.
14. Ekaterina Alexandrova.
15. Yulia Putintseva.
16. Dayana Yastremska.
These stars, along with a field of talented
unseeded players, guarantee a week of
high-intensity matches as they vie for the
coveted Brisbane title. With a mix of
proven champions, up-and-coming
talent, and a fan-favorite comeback story
in Jabeur, the 2025 Brisbane
International is set to captivate tennis
enthusiasts worldwide.
