In the second of two features, I will do my very best to build the ultimate women's tennis player, picking solely from the current batch of WTA singles players and the way they are performing. You can check out the ATP edition here.
Forehand - Iga Swiatek
This category comes down to the world's best two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Two breathtaking forehands, but completely different in their execution.
Sabalenka is an outrageous hitter, striking the ball at remarkable speeds from the back of the court. She can overwhelm her opponents with brute force, rarely holding back on the forehand.
At times, the risk-reward nature of that style doesn't pay off, but with three Grand Slam titles since 2023, it is clear that the method does pay dividends.
Swiatek, on the other hand, hits the ball with heavy topspin and accuracy, moving the ball from corner to corner and always leaving opponents off balance. And while she may not be as big a hitter as Sabalenka, she certainly packs a punch, too.
Consequently, I have to go with Swiatek for the forehand. She is simply more versatile and consistent than Sabalenka in this department.
Backhand - Coco Gauff
There are some gorgeous backhands to watch in the women's game. Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, and more recently, Mirra Andreeva, often put on backhand clinics. But one woman stands out above the rest.
Big question marks remain over the consistency of Coco Gauff's forehand, but there is certainly no doubt about her backhand. She is able to strike the ball so flat and powerfully over the net, and a lot of that has to do with how she uses her left hand on the racket, generating so much acceleration, especially when hitting the ball cross-court.
It really is a stunning backhand to watch in action, and has been one of the key factors to her success at just 21 years old.
Serve - Elena Rybakina
Like her forehand, Sabalenka is a thunderous server. Qinwen Zheng would arguably be at the top of the list if she could become more consistent with her first-serve percentage. Those numbers were all the way down at just 52.8% in 2024 but have moved up to 56.6% this year.
However, big-hitter Elena Rybakina is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best server in the women's game.
Blessed with such easy-to-watch, effortless power, Rybakina's first serve percentage was 61.2% in 2024, and remains above 60% in 2025. She had the second most aces last year on the WTA Tour (358). Zheng was the leader with 445 but played 15 more matches than Rybakina.
She also has the second most aces on Tour this year (115). Remarkably, Clara Tauson has the most, sitting well out in front with 145 despite having played one less match than Rybakina. That showcases the improvement of Tauson, and she will surely join this conversation if she can continue those serving numbers and improve her first-serve percentage (currently 57.4%).
Volley - Katerina Siniakova
A lot of Czech names appear here. The likes of Karolina Muchova and Barbora Krejcikova are so effortless and comfortable at the net, with the former looking to come in whenever the possibility arises.
Yet their compatriot Katerina Siniakova may just be the standout. Not just a good singles player, she is the best doubles player in the world, winning 10 Grand Slam titles.
Siniakova has such natural instinct around the net, always finding herself in the right place at the right time. Her reflexes are also excellent, and her tactical mastery is top-notch. She knows exactly when and how to finish points at the front of the court, rarely ever making the wrong choice.
Return - Coco Gauff
Gauff is already one of the best returners we have seen in women's tennis in recent times, which is largely down to her athleticism and reading of the game.
In 2024, only Mirra Andreeva in the current top 60 of the world rankings had a higher first-serve return percentage (42.3%) than Gauff, who was at 42%. The American also won 45.7% of return games, the highest in the top 60.
While her return games won percentage is below 40% this year (38%), there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Gauff is the standout player in this aspect.
Drop shot - Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur is one of the most skilful and creative players on the WTA Tour, and her drop shot is a prime example of this. Her ability to produce all sorts of spin on the ball and create ridiculous angles makes her one of the most unique players to watch.
She may use the drop shot too much at times, but in general, her point construction and shotmaking tend to be really unique and inventive, so it is always difficult to predict when she will utilise it.
Her game is perfectly suited to the natural surfaces, where drop shots are the most effective. Her biggest successes have come on grass, reaching the Wimbledon final on two occasions.
Slice - Emma Navarro
Tatjana Maria is prolific with the slice shot off both wings, while Jabeur's skill set means she loves using it too. But with Emma Navarro's emergence as a top-10 player in the last year, the slice has been a key part of her success.
Navarro is a wonderful all-court player, comfortable in all areas and with several different shots in her arsenal. She enjoys regularly switching up the pace of play, making her a nightmare to play against.
When she is out of position and on the back foot, she has one of the best slices around, capable of neutralising the rally and getting herself back in a comfortable position. The fact it all comes so effortlessly to her too is an added bonus.
Speed - Coco Gauff
Perhaps one of the easier picks, Gauff's speed on the WTA Tour is on another level completely. It won't be a surprise to hear that she was a track athlete when she was younger but made the decision to play tennis.
Her retrieval skills on court are outstanding, frustrating her opponents and forcing them to play just that one extra shot.
Even if she isn't playing well, putting Gauff away and sealing the win remains one of the toughest tasks in women's tennis because her speed and athleticism always means she has a chance of snatching victories from the jaws of defeat.
Movement - Iga Swiatek
While Gauff might be the quickest, Swiatek's movement is one of a kind. Her footwork is exemplary, and there is not a moment during a rally where her feet are at a standstill.
Swiatek is utterly explosive, but also really efficient, consistently getting herself into the best position to dictate and dominate rallies.
She is so natural at sliding too, one of the most vital aspects of movement in tennis. That has been a major reason for her success on clay courts, winning four French Open titles at just the age of 23.
Tennis IQ - Barbora Krejcikova
There is little doubt about Krejcikova's astonishing tactical prowess and tennis IQ. Her versatility and understanding of the game have been second to none for many years now, and it has cemented her place in the history books.
While being a two-time Grand Slam champion in singles, she also has seven Grand Slam doubles titles, alongside three in the mixed doubles.
Krejcikova is the only woman this century to win multiple Slams in singles, doubles and mixed, and her record in major finals reads 12-1.
It is a truly legendary CV, and while she is a splendid player, her intelligence has always been one of her best attributes.
Mental strength - Coco Gauff
One massive compliment to pay Gauff is that she is the best player in the world when it comes to winning matches when she is playing badly.
Even during matches where Gauff's forehand and serve have completely broken down, she is able to remain competitive, and alongside her speed, it also has to do with her never-say-die attitude and sheer fighting spirit.
Examples of this came in the finals of her biggest titles to date. In the 2023 US Open against Sabalenka, she fought from a set down to claim her maiden Grand Slam despite not playing at her optimum level.
The same can be said of her triumph at the WTA Finals last year, where she battled back from losing the first set to beat Zheng, who seemed to be the better player and on top of her during the whole contest.
She has already been through a number of highs and lows despite her age, but the fact that she is at the very top of the game is a testament to her mental strength.
A champion's mentality.