What is an ITF World Champion?
The International Tennis Federation — tennis's governing body — has named annual World Champions since 1978. Titles are awarded in men's and women's singles and doubles, in wheelchair tennis (men's, women's and quad), in junior tennis and in beach tennis, and are presented at the ITF World Champions Dinner during Roland Garros.[1] [2]
How does it differ from the world ranking?
The ATP and WTA rankings are computed from a rolling 52 weeks of results and can change weekly; the ITF World Champion is a judgement on a whole calendar year, weighted heavily toward the Grand Slam events and the team competitions the ITF itself runs, the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. It is normal for the year-end No. 1 and the ITF World Champion to be different players.[1] [3]
Who won in 2025?
Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka were named the 2025 ITF World Champions, each for the second time. Sinner reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments, retaining the Australian Open and winning Wimbledon; Sabalenka was ranked No. 1 throughout the year and won the US Open. Both were chosen ahead of the year-end No. 1 and No. 2 in their respective tours' rankings.[2] [4]
Why does it matter?
Because it is the one annual title in tennis conferred by the governing federation rather than by a professional tour — the body that runs the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic tennis and the World Tennis Tour that every professional career starts on.[1] [3]
References
- ITF — ITF World Champions. Accessed August 2026.
- ITF — Announced: 2025 ITF World Champions. Accessed August 2026.
- ATP — Rankings FAQ. Accessed August 2026.
- Tennis365 — Sabalenka and Sinner crowned ITF World Champions. Accessed August 2026.