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The new season of tennis got underway a few days ago. While most of the world is celebrating New Year's Day, players will be duking it out on the court. Notable names such as Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Alexander Zverev, Iga Swiatek, Taylor Fritz, and Coco Gauff will be in action on January 1.
While most of the aforementioned names started the new season on a winning note, some of their peers weren't able to do the same. The tennis season is quite long, and players barely get to rest for a month before they resume their daily grind. This has led to players getting injured more frequently.
The 2025 season has just begun but a few notable names are already down with one health issue or another. On that note, here are five players who have unfortunately started 2025 with injuries:
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#5 - Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios returned to action at the Brisbane International 2025 following wrist and knee surgeries over the last two years. He started his comeback by winning his doubles match alongside Djokovic. However, he couldn't do the same in singles, and Giovani Mpetshi Perricard beat him 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) in the first round.
Kyrgios also felt some discomfort in his wrist during his match against Mpetshi Perricard, raising fresh concerns of aggravating his previous injury. That's not a good look after competing in a couple of matches. He's still on track to compete in doubles on Wednesday (January 1) for now.
#4 - Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula had to abandon her campaign at the WTA Finals 2024 after playing a couple of matches in the group stage due to a knee injury. The same injury forced her to delay her start of the year as she pulled out of the Brisbane International 2025.
Pegula's chances of competing in the Australian Open are up in the air, and this injury could cause long-term problems for her. She will be 31 years old in February, and a knee injury at this age often marks the beginning of the end. She will be feeling a sense of deja vu as she played through an injury during the start of the 2024 season as well, and then skipped the clay swing.
Pegula returned stronger than ever after her injury hiatus, winning the Canadian Open and reaching the Cincinnati Open and the US Open finals. She will aim to do the same once again after another injury setback.
#3 - Sebastian Korda
Sebastian Korda underwent elbow surgery following his second-round exit from the US Open 2024 in August and didn't compete for the remainder of the season. He was set to begin the new season at the Brisbane International 2025 but withdrew hours before his first-round match due to unspecified reasons.
Korda had already arrived at the venue and was seen practicing as well. His withdrawal could also be a precautionary measure. He's still set to compete in next week's Adelaide International from January 5, and if he pulls out of that tournament too, then that would also put his Australian Open campaign in doubt.
#2 - Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu's unfortunate luck with injuries continued with yet another setback. She was set to kick off the new season at the ASB Classic 2025 in Auckland and withdrew on the day of her match (December 31) due to a back injury.
Raducanu gave the organizers a heads up about the same as she felt something was off with her back upon her arrival. She tried her best to recover in time but couldn't do so, and had to withdraw from the tournament. With the Australian Open barely a week away, this is far from ideal for the young Brit.
Raducanu missed a decent chunk of the 2024 season due to injuries as well. She sat out for half of the clay swing and was sidelined for most of the Asian swing in the fall.
#1 - Alexander Zverev
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev decided not to contest his singles tie against Kazakhstan during the quarterfinals of the United Cup 2025 on Wednesday (January 1) due to a biceps strain.
Zverev already showed signs of wear and tear during his second group stage match against Zhang Zhizhen of China. He rallied from a set down to beat him, and then helped his team win the tie by clinching the decisive mixed doubles rubber with Laura Siegemund. He attributed his physical woes to the quality of balls used on the tour.
Zverev led Germany to the United Cup title last year and then advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Following some stellar performances throughout 2024, he was expected to contend for big titles in 2025 as well. However, his latest injury could possibly prevent him from giving his best, especially at the season's first Major, if he doesn't recover in time.
