Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and more hand out their own year-end awards

The end of the season is a time for reflection, and that’s what Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys have done. The WTA and ATP Tours recently announced the winners of the year-end awards, and the two Americans did the same in the latest episode of their podcast.

Pegula took the initiative The Players Box Podcastasking her co-hosts, Keys, Desirae Krawczyk and Jennifer Brady, to select a winner from the categories she suggests. Match of the Year was an easy choice, with everyone agreeing that the French Open clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was the best.

“Anyway, on to the year-end awards. Our WTA Player’s Box year-end awards, to be specific. If only the four of us could vote. I’m going to name a couple of categories. Let’s start with match of the year. Anyone have votes for their match of the year?” said Pegula.

“Roland Garros men’s final. Yes, men’s final,” the others agreed.

Keys winning her first Major title at the Australian Open was everyone’s favorite moment, including Keys herself. Ben Shelton and Mirra Andreeva were the top choices when it came to the 1000 winners.

“I won. I personally liked that answer,” Keys said.

“We all did. We all cried. I think we all did. Yeah, I cried,” Brady said. “I think Ben won Toronto. It was pretty cool.”

“I thought Mirra winning the 1000 in a row was crazy, too,” Pegula said.

Pegula he was nominated for the best time at the 500 level, along with Keys. Opinion on the most improved player was divided, with Shelton, Alexandra Eala, Jack Draper and Victoria Mboko being the nominees.

“Yeah, best time of the tournament for 500. I picked myself to win Charleston. I also had Maddie beat Adelaide because then she won Adelaide and then she won AO. So I feel like it was like a crazy run.” said Pegula. “More improved.”

“I mean Eala or I like even when we mentioned Mboko,” Krawczyk said.

“I feel like Mboko winning a 1000 is crazy,” Pegula said.

Although the hosts were divided on who to award the player of the year, they finally made their choice Aryna Sabalenka on Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina and Keys.

“I think many, yes. Sabalenka,” said Pegula.

Watch his full discussion on the topic below:

Pegula and others who crowned Sabalenka as player of the year also agreed with the WTA’s decision. The Belarusian was recently chosen as the best player of the 2025 season.

Madison Keys loses Player of the Year award to Aryna Sabalenka

The results of the annual WTA awards were announced earlier this week. Aryna Sabalenka was voted Player of the Year by the majority of voters to claim the coveted award for the second consecutive year. Madison Keys was also one of the nominees after a memorable season.

Sabalenka won four titles this year, including the US Open. She also finished as runner-up at the Australian Open, French Open and WTA finals. It also remained at the top of the ranking throughout the year.

the keys started the year in good form, claiming the title in Adelaide and maintaining the momentum to win the Australian Open. She also beat Sabalenka in the final. However, she could not maintain this form until the end of the season, while her rival did, thus tipping the balance in her favor.