Amanda Anisimova, world No. 1? Our hottest takes for 2026

As we make our way toward the 2026 season—which begins Friday, January 2 on Tennis Channel with the United Cup—our Tennis Channel analysts and editors tackle the most important questions of the new year.

Last up: What's your hottest take for 2026?

Advertising

HIGHLIGHTS: Amanda Anisimova drops just three games against Coco Gauff | 2025 Beijing SF

VICTORIA DUVAL: Mirra Andreeva will win her first major title.

COCO VANDEWEGHE: I think we’ll see five American men in the ATP’s year-end Top 10.

DAVID KANE: Amanda Anisimova will become world No. 1. With all the points Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have to defend in the first half of the season, Anisimova has nowhere to go but up, defending only a WTA 1000 title in Doha. Able to play on all surfaces and carrying plenty of momentum into the new year, there’s no reason why the American can’t rack up some serious points to compete with Sabalenka’s ostensibly uncatchable total.

BRETT HABER: I think we’ll finally see the ATP-WTA merger happen.

PAUL ANNACONE: We will see first-time major winners on both Tours next year.