What a jaw-dropping moment captured the tennis world by storm—Karolina Muchova's epic tweener lob has been voted the 2025 Shot of the Year! Fans from around the globe have spoken, and their choice highlights the sheer brilliance of a shot that turned a seemingly lost point into a triumphant winner. But here's where it gets exciting: let's dive deeper into how this magical play unfolded and why it resonated so strongly with tennis enthusiasts everywhere.
Hot Shots (https://www.wtatennis.com/videos/hot-shots)
2m read 05 Dec 2025 2h ago
Summary
Karolina Muchova has triumphed as the victor of the 2025 Shot of the Year competition with her unforgettable tweener during the Dubai semifinal against Clara Tauson. She captured 32% of the votes, outshining all other contenders in this year's thrilling contest.
The results are official—Karolina Muchova takes the crown for the 2025 Shot of the Year series! Over the last few weeks, wtatennis.com hosted an engaging eight-part Shots of the Swing series, inviting fans like you to select the finest shot from each swing and the WTA Finals in Riyadh. From those choices, Muchova's spectacular tweener from Dubai stood out as the ultimate fan favorite for 2025.
Muchova secured 32% of the total votes to claim the top position, while Elena Rybakina's powerful forehand winner in Riyadh (https://www.wtatennis.com/videos/4409210/elena-rybakina-saves-game-point-with-cross-court-forehand-pass-in-riyadh) came in second with 22% of the votes. Jasmine Paolini's incredible rally in Cincinnati (https://www.wtatennis.com/videos/4406726/jasmine-paolini-rallies-crowd-with-magnificent-point-at-cincinnati-final) rounded out the podium with 10%.
For a complete look at the voting outcomes, here's the detailed breakdown:
This shot was undeniably deserving of the victory. Muchova worked hard to retrieve Clara Tauson's drop shot successfully, but in doing so, she left the back of the court vulnerable, setting up what appeared to be an effortless lob for Tauson to seal the point.
She couldn't have been more mistaken—Muchova dashed back to the baseline with incredible speed and executed a flawless tweener lob to win the point, a move so impressive it also earned her the February Shot of the Month award (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4229916/february-shot-of-the-month-muchova-delivers-a-tweener-lob-winner). For those new to tennis, a "tweener" is a clever shot played between the legs while facing away from the net—think of it as a creative, acrobatic trick that often catches opponents off guard and can turn the tide of a rally.
Although Tauson went on to win the match in three sets, that Dubai semifinal showcase was among Muchova's standout performances in her 2025 campaign. It marked her consecutive semifinal appearance, building on her solid results at the Linz tournament.
Muchova, who ended the year ranked No. 19 in the PIF Rankings, holds the distinction of being the top-ranked female player from the Czech Republic. At 29 years old, she also reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo and at the US Open this season.
To explore every point that Muchova excelled in during the competition, take a look at the Shot of the Year (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4412020/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-wta-season) and the full Shot of the Swing series, including the Australian swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4404057/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-australian-swing), Middle East swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4404204/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-middle-east-swing), Sunshine swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4404748/vote-what-was-the-sunshine-swing), Clay Court swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4405537/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-clay-court-swing), Grass Court swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4406210/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-grass-court-swing), Hard Court swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4406324/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-hard-court-swing), Asian swing (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4408322/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-asian-swing), and WTA Finals in Riyadh (https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4409196/vote-what-was-the-best-shot-of-the-2025-wta-finals-riyadh).
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WTA Staff
Summary
Karolina Muchova has triumphed as the victor of the 2025 Shot of the Year competition with her unforgettable tweener during the Dubai semifinal against Clara Tauson. She captured 32% of the votes, outshining all other contenders in this year's thrilling contest.
And this is the part most people miss—what if this tweener wasn't just about skill, but also about underdog spirit? Some fans argue that while the shot was dazzling, other plays showcased raw power or endurance that might deserve equal acclaim. For instance, does a flashy trick shot like this truly define the "best" in tennis, or should consistency and strategy play a bigger role? It's a debate that often divides the community—does this honor reward creativity, or is it simply about the wow factor? What do you think: should the Shot of the Year always go to the most visually stunning play, even if it doesn't decide the match outcome? Or do you believe in prioritizing shots that directly impact victories? Share your opinions in the comments below—do you cheer for Muchova's win, or root for a different contender? Let's hear what sparks your passion for tennis!
