The 2025 season has come to an end, but what a ride it’s been. It all began with some intense tennis in the land down under, setting the stage for a year packed with fire and flair. Over the last 12 months, players brought the heat across the globe, and the courts witnessed some jaw-dropping matches.

From the longest French Open final in history between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to Novak Djokovic capturing his 101st tour title, it’s been pure drama. The WTA had its share of magic, too. Coco Gauff’s Roland Garros triumph made her the first American in a decade to lift the title, while Amanda Anisimova made bold strides in London and New York.

This season delivered moments that moved both players and fans to tears. Let’s dive into them!

Novak Djokovic’s emotional tribute to tennis father

On November 4th, Novak Djokovic kicked off his run at the Athens Open with a win over Alejandro Tabilo. But even after sealing victory, tennis wasn’t what weighed on his mind. As he watched a tribute video for his late mentor Nikola Pilić, emotions took over. The champion who’s faced every kind of pressure suddenly found himself holding back tears on court.

“It was an emotional moment. Considering what he meant to me and my family — privately, also professionally — he was my tennis father, as I like to call him, someone that has played a fundamental, integral role in my development as a tennis player and as a human being. It was really sad news when I heard that he passed away a few months ago.”

Pilić passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 86. A legend in his own right, Pilić wasn’t just a cornerstone of Serbian tennis but of the sport’s global story.

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A former Croatian professional who represented SFR Yugoslavia in the 70s, he reached a career-high ranking of No. 6, was a French Open finalist in 1973, and lifted the US Open doubles trophy in 1970.

After retiring, he shaped champions as a coach and served as an adviser for Serbia’s Davis Cup team. It was also the first time Novak Djokovic attended a funeral in his life. Seeing the love his tennis father got from those he knew over his life helped him realize how he wants to be remembered when he retires.

“The way people talked about him,” he said in his interview with Piers Morgan, “It was not about tennis and what he has achieved as a player or as a coach or who he has coached, etc. It was about who he was as a person, how he conducted himself with people, how he changed the lives of young people or anybody who he came close to, and that’s how I want to be remembered.​”

Grigor Dimitrov’s Wimbledon Heartbreak

Going back to July, Wimbledon delivered pure heartbreak for Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov. He stormed in strong, crushing Yoshihito Nishioka, Corentin Moutet, and Sebastian Ofner. Then came his round of 16 clash with Jannik Sinner. The Italian No. 1 stumbled in the first set with an elbow injury, handing Grigor a golden shot at the quarters.

Grigor Dimitrov surged ahead, two sets up at 6-3, 7-5. Disaster hit at 2-2 in the third. He fired an ace to level it, then crumpled to the grass, clutching his chest in agony. The crowd gasped. Even Roger Federer leaped to his feet in shock for the Bulgarian.

Dimitrov limped off for medical aid. He returned minutes later, shook his head in defeat, and retired. Tears flowed as he packed his gear. Sinner grabbed his bags to help, sparking thunderous applause. This marked Dimitrov’s fifth straight Grand Slam where the 34-year-old couldn’t finish a match.

The pectoral tear sidelined him for three months after SW19. He bounced back at the Paris Masters, beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in round one. But pain forced him out against Daniil Medvedev. Could 2026 be Dimitrov’s breakout year? Only time will tell!

⁠Rafael Nadal’s Roland Garros farewell

It’s been a full year without the King of Clay lighting up the courts. Rafa announced his retirement last year and bowed out with his final match at the 2024 Davis Cup. Spain fell in the first round, so no fairy-tale win, but Roland Garros stepped up big time for his proper send-off.

As the all-time champ with 14 French Open titles, Rafael Nadal deserved the magic. On Sunday, May 25, 2025, some 15,000 fans flooded Court Philippe-Chatrier to honor his epic run. They rocked clay-colored “Merci Rafa” T-shirts stamped with the date. From the stands, the red wave blended into the court, with upper decks spelling out “RAFA” and “14 RG” in a mind-blowing tribute to his singles glory.

Stars like defending champs Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek joined the brick-red sea, all in “Merci Rafa” gear. Rafa shared the spotlight with rivals-turned-friends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The vibe crackled with pure emotion.

Rafa waved, and the crowd erupted in a chills-inducing standing ovation. Organizers rolled a tribute video packed with his thunderous forehands, fist pumps, and roaring “Vamos!” shouts. Tears streamed down his face as he delivered his speech in French, English, and Spanish.

“Roland-Garros is unique. Not just because it’s a fundamental part of tennis history, but also because of all the people who work tirelessly with a smile to make this tournament what it is – unique,” he said.

Watching the legend who poured two decades into the game, sparking rivalries and peak moments, hit like a gut punch. Pure heartbreak wrapped in glory.

Cousins ⁠Vacherot and Rinderknech bring out the feels at the Shanghai Masters

Shanghai delivered a jaw-dropping family showdown! Two unseeded cousins, Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech, charged into the final, chasing their first Masters titles. World No. 204 Vacherot stunned his own kin, rallying from a set down to snag the win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Monaco’s 26-year-old became the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champ since 1990.

He pocketed a massive £824,000, over double his prior career haul of £380,000. Vacherot clinched it with a blistering forehand down the line, hugged Rinderknech tight at the net, then bolted to the box for wild family cheers with his coach. He grabbed a courtside camera next, scribbling “Grandpa and Grandma would be proud” in winner’s tradition. Tears flowed during post-match speeches.

“It is unreal what just happened – I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” said Vacherot. “There has to be one loser but I think there are two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”

Frenchman Rinderknech beamed too. “Valentin, you gave everything. I am so happy for you. Two cousins are stronger than one.”

Their saga kicked off in 2018 at Texas A&M University. The Aggies dropped a gut-wrenching 4-3 NCAA semi to Wake Forest. Rinderknech held No. 2 singles, Vacherot No. 4 that day, ending Rinderknech’s college run under coach Steve Denton, a two-time Aussie Open finalist. The 30-year-old No. 54 boasts a career high of 42 from 2022, his first ATP final in Adelaide, plus booming serves that crushed Zverev at Wimbledon and again in Shanghai.

Both cousins made history in the final that brought everyone to their feet and touched hearts as they left without bitter feelings.

Carlos Alcaraz’s legendary win at the 2025 French Open

The French Open final stole the show and lit tennis ablaze. Nearly six hours of pure fire (five hours and 57 minutes), marking the longest final at Roland Garros ever. Alcaraz battled a blazing Sinner, who snatched the first two sets. It looked like the Italian’s night, but Alcaraz flipped the script in epic style. No one saw it coming; the Spaniard had never rallied from two sets down before. But against his fiercest rival, he roared back.

Second seed and defending champ Carlos Alcaraz stared down doom at 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth. He fired off five straight points, clawing to deuce with ironclad focus. Then he exploded, sealing 4-5 on serve with a jaw-dropping running forehand winner. The stadium erupted. The crowd rode the wave, flipping the energy electric.

At 22, Alcaraz bagged his fifth Grand Slam, crashing to the clay in stunned joy before sprinting to his box. His now-ex-coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, hoisted him high. Tearful family hugs sealed the magic over the triumph! On the other end, Jannik Sinner fought tears after coming so close to winning. Yet he dropped a humble, classy speech that won roaring cheers from the crowd.

Now, the tennis tour charges into a new season. Courts have been quiet since November, but the action reignites Down Under at the first Grand Slam. What heart-warming drama awaits in 2026? Drop your predictions in the comments!