80 players represented New Zealand in senior matches in 2025, ranging from the lowliest ITF M15 and W15 events all the way up to the Grand Slams, and there was success at every level. That number included two players changing their country of representation, Sarah Barry having previously played under the Canadian flag whilst Isabella Harvison switched to her father’s country of birth after earlier playing for both the United States and Spain.
25 of those 80, most of whom are still juniors, made their debut at ITF level. Those are listed separately in the next post. While the usual plethora of youngsters flew the New Zealand flag in small ITF junior events, there were eight who played bigger events (J200) without starting in a senior tournament. Most of them will, I’m sure, take that step up next year. They are also listed in the next post.
In addition, there were four others who were born or grew up here but represent other countries – Matthew and Natalie Donald, Jamie Mackenzie and Cameron Norrie. The Donalds moved to Prague for better tennis opportunities when Matt was 12 years old, and have represented the Czech Republic ever since, while the only difference for Mackenzie and his father Justin was that they went to Dusseldorf in Germany instead. Norrie’s story is much better-known, the South African born British flagbearer having grown up in Auckland and sounding just as much a New Zealander today as he always has.
15 of those players won titles, the ultimate being Erin Routliffe’s second US Open doubles title, and it was rather a shock to find out that she and Gaby Dabrowski would be splitting up after the WTA Tour finals, just two months later. James Watt was the most successful, picking up seven titles, with several others standing on the figurative top step of the podium for the first time. Those title winners have a post devoted just to them.
The final sub-section is for those 23 players who attained a new career-high ATP or WTA ranking during the year. Again, several made their debuts on these lists, most hopefully aspiring to eventually equal Erin Routliffe and become the world’s best player, whether it be in singles or doubles. And, for those who say that someone ranked 800 or 1500 or 2500 can’t be much good, just remember that every world number one was once in exactly that same position. Also point out to them, as I have to various players in the past, that those rankings mean that you’re the 800th (or whatever) best player in the world, and that means there are more than three BILLION people around the world who are worse than you. It’s all a matter of perspective!
The most important teams events in tennis, and referred to by the governing body as the “World Cups” of the sport, are the Davis Cup for men and the Billie Jean King Cup for women. Inspirational play by Jack Loutit ensured that the New Zealand men won their tie against Jamaica in February, overcoming the heat, humidity and a fanatical home crowd in Kingston to do so, and the team rose again to defeat Georgia in Palmerston North in September. That will take them to a home World Group I play-off tie in Whangarei in February against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The women travelled to Pune in India in April for their Asia/Oceania Group I tournament, and came out on top after winning four of their five ties. That took them to the giddy heights of the World Group play-offs for the first time in many years, but the team suffered a devastating blow just days before the event was due to start in Poland when Lulu Sun sustained a wrist injury that necessitated complete rest for three weeks. Without our top singles player New Zealand stood no chance, and duly went down to both Poland and Romania. They will return to Group I for 2026.