Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Elise Mertens

How Elise Mertens built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Elise Mertens is a Belgian professional tennis player who achieved the world No. 1 ranking in doubles on May 10, 2021. She is the third Belgian player to reach the top ranking in either singles or doubles, following Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin. Mertens has won a total of 30 WTA Tour titles, highlighting her success and prominence in professional tennis.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2015: WTA Tour main-draw debut at the 2015 Copa Colsanitas

In 2015, Elise Mertens made her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the Copa Colsanitas in the doubles event, partnering with Nastja Kolar.

2015: Completed the Sunshine Double in doubles in 2019

In March 2019 at Indian Wells, Elise Mertens won a big doubles title with Sabalenka at Indian Wells, defeating first seeds Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková in the final. Two weeks later, the pair won the Miami Open doubles title, completing the Sunshine Double. Mertens and Sabalenka became the fifth doubles pairing in history, and first since Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza in 2015, to complete the Sunshine Double in doubles. These titles took Mertens inside the top 10 in doubles for the first time.

2016: Won first WTA doubles title at the 2016 Auckland Open

In 2016, Elise Mertens won her first WTA doubles title at the Auckland Open, partnering with An-Sophie Mestach.

January 2017: Won the Hobart International

In January 2017, Elise Mertens won the Hobart International, defeating Monica Niculescu in the final, and broke into the WTA top 100.

2017: Defended title at Hobart International in 2018

In 2018, Elise Mertens began the season by winning back-to-back titles in Hobart, defending her title from 2017, defeating Mihaela Buzărnescu in the final. She also won the doubles title with Demi Schuurs.

2017: Represented Belgium in the Billie Jean King Cup since 2017

Since 2017, Elise Mertens has represented Belgium in the Billie Jean King Cup.

November 2018: Achieved career-high singles ranking of world No. 12

In November 2018, Elise Mertens achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 12.

2018: Reached a major semifinal at the 2018 Australian Open

In 2018, Elise Mertens reached the semifinal of a major tournament for the first time at the Australian Open.

2018: Upset 2018 champion Angelique Kerber

In 2022, at Wimbledon, Elise Mertens upset 2018 champion Angelique Kerber in the third round.

2019: Reached US Open quarterfinals in 2019

In 2019, Elise Mertens reached the quarterfinals of the US Open.

2019: Won the 2019 US Open in doubles

In 2019, Elise Mertens, partnering with Aryna Sabalenka, won the US Open doubles title.

2020: Reached the quarterfinals of the US Open for the second consecutive year

At the 2020 US Open, Elise Mertens reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year, defeating Sofia Kenin in the fourth round. However, she was defeated in the quarterfinal by Victoria Azarenka. Mertens and Sabalenka, the defending champions in doubles, were beaten in the quarterfinals.

2020: Competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

In 2020, Elise Mertens competed at the Tokyo Olympics in both singles and doubles.

2020: Reached US Open quarterfinals in 2020

In 2020, Elise Mertens reached the quarterfinals of the US Open.

May 2021: Regained the world No. 1 spot in doubles after Wimbledon win

Elise Mertens regained the world No. 1 spot she held previously for a week in May 2021 after winning the Wimbledon title.

May 2021: Became world No. 1 in doubles

In May 2021, Elise Mertens became the world No. 1 in doubles, making her the third Belgian to achieve the top ranking in either singles or doubles, after Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.

May 2021: Became world No. 1 in doubles for the first time

On 10 May 2021, Elise Mertens achieved a significant milestone by becoming the world No. 1 in doubles for the first time, joining Kim Clijsters as the second Belgian player to reach this achievement. This occurred despite losing in the second round of the Madrid Open doubles tournament.

2021: Finished runner-up at the 2021 WTA Finals alongside Hsieh

In 2021, Elise Mertens finished as runner-up at the WTA Finals in doubles, partnering with Hsieh.

2021: Won her sixth career singles title at the Gippsland Trophy and second Grand Slam title

In 2021, Elise Mertens won her sixth career singles title at the Gippsland Trophy, defeating Kaia Kanepi in the final, her first singles title in two years. She and Sabalenka also won their second Grand Slam title as a team at the Australian Open.

2021: Won the 2021 Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships in doubles

In 2021, Elise Mertens won two major doubles titles: the Australian Open partnering with Aryna Sabalenka, and the Wimbledon Championships with Hsieh Su-wei.

June 2022: Regained No. 1 ranking in doubles

On 6 June 2022, despite a third-round loss at Roland Garros, Elise Mertens regained her No. 1 ranking in doubles.

August 2022: Lost world No. 1 doubles ranking

On 14 August 2022, Elise Mertens lost her world No. 1 doubles ranking.

2022: Finished runner-up at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships

In 2022, Elise Mertens and her partner, Zhang Shuai, finished as runner-ups at the Wimbledon Championships.

2022: Reached the semifinals in doubles at the Australian Open

In 2022, Elise Mertens reached the semifinals in doubles with Veronika Kudermetova at the Australian Open.

2022: Won the 2022 WTA Finals with Veronika Kudermetova

In 2022, Elise Mertens won the WTA Finals doubles title with Veronika Kudermetova.

April 2023: Returned to the top 30 on 3 April 2023

On 3 April 2023, Elise Mertens returned to the top 30 in singles rankings at world No. 29 following a fourth round showing at the Miami Open.

May 2023: Returned to the top 10 in doubles on 22 May 2023

At the Italian Open, Elise Mertens won her fifth WTA 1000 title partnering with Hunter. As a result, she returned to the top 10 in doubles on 22 May 2023.

September 2023: Returned to world No. 1 in doubles on 25 September 2023

On 25 September 2023, Elise Mertens returned to world No. 1 in doubles after more than a year, following a semifinal showing at the Guadalajara Open with Hunter.

2023: Finished runner-up at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships

In 2023, Elise Mertens and Storm Hunter finished as runner-ups at the Wimbledon Championships.

2023: Reaches Semifinals at ATP Finals and Finishes Year Ranked No. 2

In 2023, Elise Mertens, partnering with Hunter, advanced to the semifinals in doubles at the ATP Finals. She concluded the year with a No. 2 ranking in doubles for the first time in her career.