Ana Ivanovic has noticed a big change in women’s tennis recently and names three players who are leading the way

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Ana Ivanovic enjoyed a fantastic tennis career, winning a Grand Slam title and becoming world number one.

The Serbian star excited fans on the WTA Tour for over a decade, often competing in the latter stages of tennis’ biggest tournaments.

Ivanovic reached her first two Major finals at the French Open in 2007 and at the Australian Open in 2008, coming up short on both occasions.

She finally got over the line in 2008, beating Dinara Safina in the final of the French Open, becoming world number one in the process.

Tennis has changed a lot since then, as the 37-year-old now highlights the recent development she’s noticed in the women’s game.

Ana Ivanovic says Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek are leading a ‘generational switch’

During an interview for the Madrid Open’s YouTube channel, Ivanovic shared her thoughts on the recent changes in women’s tennis.

“I think there always comes a point where there is a generational switch and there are always some years that feel like gap years,” she said.

“I’m sure that men’s tennis as well, it’s kind of going soon, you know, with Rafa [Nadal] retiring, with Roger [Federer retiring], but I think they’re a little bit smoother going in that direction.”

The Serb then named the three players she thinks are leading the way on the WTA Tour in 2025.

“I think [Aryna] Sabalenka has raised the level of women’s tennis by a lot just because of her strength and dominance, and of course Iga [Swiatek], and then we have Coco [Gauff],” said Ivanovic.

“I think the field is definitely much, much stronger and bigger than it was a few years ago.”

Ivanovic’s comments are perhaps backed up by the strength of this year’s ‘WTA Race’, with five players already surpassing the 2,000 point mark just four months into the season.

In comparison, just three players have accumulated 2,000 points on the ATP Tour in 2025, with none breaking through the 3,000 barrier.

• 1. Carlos Alcaraz – 2,740 points
• 2. Alexander Zverev – 2,225 points
• 3. Jannik Sinner – 2,000 points

In an era of fierce competition on the WTA Tour, it’ll certainly be interesting to see if anyone can top Sabalenka, Gauff, and Swiatek.

Comparing Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek’s tennis achievements

The trio Ivanovic mentioned are all ranked inside the world’s top five and have previously won Grand Slam titles, but which player has enjoyed the most success in their career to date?

Iga Swiatek

• Grand Slam titles – 5
• Career-high ranking – 1 (125 weeks at number one)
• WTA 1000 titles – 10
• WTA Finals titles – 1
• WTA titles – 22
• Longest winning streak (37 matches)
• Notable achievement (95% win rate at the French Open – 3-time defending champion)

Aryna Sabalenka

• Grand Slam titles – 3
• Career-high ranking – 1 (35 weeks* at number one)
• WTA 1000 titles – 8
• WTA Finals titles – 0
• WTA titles – 19
• Longest winning streak (15 matches)
• Notable achievement (Won both hard-court Grand Slams in 2024)

Coco Gauff

• Grand Slam titles – 1
• Career-high ranking – 2
• WTA 1000 titles – 2
• WTA Finals titles – 1
• WTA titles – 9
• Longest winning streak (16 matches)
• Notable achievement (Won the US Open as a teenager)

Overall, Swiatek has the edge, as she leads in every single category, having won more Grand Slam titles, WTA 1000 titles, and having spent more weeks as world number one than her two biggest rivals.

However, it is Sabalenka who currently holds the top spot in the world rankings and leads the Pole by a margin of 3,385 points.

America’s Gauff may trail the pair in the rankings and career achievements, but is the youngest of the trio, and will be hoping to bounce back from a tricky start to 2025 over the coming months.

All three players are competing in the 2025 Madrid Open and advanced through to the third round, which begins on Saturday, April 26.