The 5 Most Over-Hyped WTA “Stars” Heading Into 2026
The WTA is overflowing with talent, personality, and marketable young players. It’s also a place where over-hyped stars reside.
But in a sport where buzz often grows faster than résumés, it’s easy to get carried away by the hype-machine.
These players aren’t bad — far from it. They’re skilled, exciting, and capable of highlight reel moments. But the gap between narrative and performance has widened enough that these five over-hyped WTA stars deserve a closer look.
Read on for our 5 Most Over-Hyped WTA “Stars”.
🇬🇧 Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu remains one of the most recognizable names in tennis, but the marketing continues to outweigh the on-court reality. Since her 2021 US Open miracle run, she has battled injuries, inconsistency, and a revolving door of coaches.
She still draws enormous media attention in the UK, yet meaningful winning streaks have been rare, and she went 1–10 vs. the Top 10 last season.
Until she stays healthy, stabilizes her team, and builds real momentum beyond the one-off small-field results, the hype remains miles ahead of the production.
🇵🇭 Alexandra Eala
Alexandra Eala is likely a future star — but a future star isn’t the same as a current one.
She draws big fan support, has an impressive junior résumé, and flashes real talent. But the expectations for a “breakthrough season” after one hot week in Miami and a WTA 125 title in Guadalajara at age 20 are premature.
She needs more physical development, experience, and wins against higher-tier opponents before the hype catches up to reality.
🇷🇺 Anna Kalinskaya
Anna Kalinskaya’s surge in late 2024 and 2025 was legitimate and well deserved.
She posted only a 3–4 record vs. Top 10 players this season and a 3–3 mark at the Grand Slams. She has beaten top names like Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, and at times can be a real threat, but the hype has grown faster than the week-to-week results.
Until she becomes known for consistent deep runs at the Slams — not just big-name upsets or off-court headlines — she remains a dangerous floater, not a genuine title contender.
🇺🇸 Alycia Parks
Alycia Parks has some of the WTA Tour’s biggest raw power.
When she’s locked in, her serve can be unplayable, and her pace can be overwhelming. But the inconsistency is the issue. Her return game is shaky, her decision-making under pressure remains unpredictable, and she suffered three first-round losses at the majors in 2025.
Parks absolutely has top-20 potential — maybe higher — but in 2026, that potential is still theoretical. The hype continues to exceed the week-to-week performance.
🇹🇳 Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur remains one of the most beloved figures in tennis, but her form has dipped noticeably since her 2022–2023 peak. The expectations skyrocketed after her finals runs at Wimbledon and the US Open, but injuries, confidence swings, and the increasingly physical nature of the tour have slowed her progress.
Her temporary departure from the tour in 2025 only widened the gap between perception and production. She’s still creative and capable of brilliance, but the numbers don’t lie: Jabeur owns a career 19–30 record vs. Top 10 opponents. That’s not elite contender territory — that’s a very good player with superstar branding.
The love remains, but the results no longer justify the hype.
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