Peyton Stearns Aces Her Way to a Career-High Ranking

Peyton Stearns is making waves in the world of women’s tennis, achieving a new career-high ranking of No. 42 in singles as of May 5, 2025. This milestone is accompanied by a unique WTA record, solidifying her position as a rising star in the sport.

A Meteoric Rise

Stearns’ journey to the top has been marked by consistent performance and impressive victories. Her current ranking reflects her hard work and dedication, and it’s a testament to her potential in the highly competitive world of professional tennis.

Key Stats

• Current WTA Singles Ranking: 42 (as of May 5, 2025)
• Current WTA Doubles Ranking: 62 (as of May 5, 2025)
• WTA Singles Titles: 1
• ITF Singles Titles: 5
• ITF Doubles Titles: 2
• Prize Money: $448,680

The Unique WTA Record

While the exact nature of Peyton Stearns’ unique WTA record isn’t explicitly detailed in the search results, one source mentions “History made: Stearns is first player to win three straight third-set tiebreaks”. This suggests a remarkable level of mental fortitude and clutch performance under pressure.

Third-Set Tiebreak Prowess

Winning three consecutive third-set tiebreaks is an impressive feat, showcasing Stearns’ ability to maintain focus and execute her game plan when the stakes are highest. This record highlights her competitive spirit and determination to win.

2024 Season Highlights

Stearns had a strong season in 2024, achieving several notable milestones:

• Maiden WTA Title at Rabat: Stearns secured her first WTA title in Rabat, defeating Sherif in the final.
• Quarterfinal Appearances: She reached the quarterfinals in Toronto (losing to eventual champion Pegula) and Cleveland (losing to Siniakova).
• Grand Slam Success: Stearns advanced to the third round at the French Open (losing to M. Andreeva) and the US Open (losing to Vekic).

2023 Breakthrough Year

The 2023 season was a significant breakthrough for Stearns, marked by several impressive achievements:

• First WTA Final: She reached her first WTA singles final at Bogota, ultimately losing to Maria.
• US Open Round of 16: Stearns made a strong showing at her home Grand Slam, reaching the round of 16 before losing to Vondrousova.
• French Open Third Round: She reached the third round at Roland Garros, defeating former champion Ostapenko in the second round before losing to Kasatkina.
• Top 50 Debut: Following the US Open, Stearns broke into the top 50 for the first time, reaching world No. 44 on September 11, 2023.
• Copa Colsanitas Final: Reached her first WTA Tour singles final, which propelled her into the top 100 for the first time.

Early Career and College Success

Before turning professional, Stearns had a successful college tennis career at the University of Texas:

• NCAA Champion: In spring 2022, she became the first Texas player to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in women’s tennis.
• Turning Pro: Following her NCAA victory, Stearns elected to turn professional in 2022.

Playing Style and Preferences

• Plays: Right-Handed
• Preferred surface: Hard

Grand Slam Performances

Stearns has shown promise in Grand Slam tournaments, with notable results including:

• French Open: Third Round (2023)
• US Open: Fourth Round (2023)

Ranking History and Trends

Stearns’ ranking has steadily improved over time, reflecting her consistent performance and growth as a player.

Breakdown of Ranking Points by Surface

Peyton Stearns’s WTA ranking points are distributed across different court surfaces as follows:

• Hard: 49% (796 points)
• Clay: 44% (715 points)
• Grass: 4% (70 points)
• Indoor: 2% (30 points)

This distribution suggests that Stearns performs well on both hard and clay courts, with a smaller percentage of her points coming from grass and indoor surfaces.

Match Highlights

• Rome 2025: Stearns edged Osaka in a third-set tiebreak to make the Rome quarterfinals. She also weathered Osaka and an unexpected flyover to reach the Rome quarterfinals.
• Indian Wells: Stearns recorded her second WTA 1000 win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto. She held four match points against world No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka, in the second round but lost the match in the third set tiebreak.
• Miami Open: On her debut in the main draw, she reached the second round with a win over Wang Yafan before losing to Victoria Azarenka.

Future Prospects

With her current form and determination, Peyton Stearns is poised for continued success on the WTA Tour. Her unique record in third-set tiebreaks demonstrates her mental toughness, and her all-around game makes her a formidable opponent on any surface. As she gains more experience and continues to refine her skills, Stearns has the potential to climb even higher in the rankings and compete for major titles.