Clara Tauson’s Big Break: From Setbacks to Stunning Victories on the WTA Tour
Clara Tauson is proving that patience, resilience, and sheer talent can pave the way to success. Once hailed as a rising star after winning the Australian Open girls’ singles title in 2019, the Danish powerhouse seemed to fade from the spotlight due to injuries and setbacks. But in 2025, she’s back with a bang, serving up a thrilling comeback that has the tennis world buzzing.
The Dubai Statement: Taking Down the World No. 1
This week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Tauson sent shockwaves through the tournament with a jaw-dropping victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The match wasn’t just a fluke—it was a testament to her steady progress and undeniable power. Tauson followed up this milestone win with gutsy performances against Elina Svitolina and Linda Noskova, proving she belongs among the WTA’s elite.
At just 22, the 6-foot Danish dynamo has officially broken into the top 30 for the first time—a major milestone in her career. Regardless of what happens in her upcoming semifinal against Karolina Muchova, one thing is clear: Clara Tauson is here to stay.
From Junior Glory to Injury Struggles
Tauson’s journey hasn’t been smooth. After her junior Grand Slam victory in 2019, expectations soared, especially in Denmark, which was eager to find a new tennis icon after Caroline Wozniacki. But injuries struck at the worst times—first a knee issue, then a persistent back problem—plummeting her ranking from No. 33 in early 2022 to No. 140 in just eight months.
The road back was grueling. Tauson had to grind through lower-level ITF events, a humbling experience akin to relegation in team sports. However, instead of fading away, she worked her way back up, culminating in a breakthrough fourth-round run at Roland Garros in 2024 and a title win at the Auckland Open in January 2025. Now, with a stellar 14-3 record this season, she’s proving that the best is yet to come.
The Secret Weapon: A Smarter Approach to Training
So, what changed? Tauson credits her resurgence to a revamped training regimen. Instead of pushing her body to the brink with six-hour sessions, she’s focusing on shorter, high-intensity workouts to better suit her powerful playing style.
“I’m a bigger individual, and my tennis is very powerful,” Tauson explained. “We realized that training for hours wasn’t helping—I needed to focus on intensity, not just volume.”
The results speak for themselves. Tauson leads the WTA leaderboard for aces in 2025, and her first-serve efficiency has skyrocketed. Once an inconsistent weapon, her serve is now a lethal force, winning her 73.3% of points compared to just 65.2% two years ago.
Love & Tennis: A Coaching Shakeup That’s Paying Off
Another game-changer? Her new coach—and boyfriend—Kasper Elsvad. After parting ways with longtime coach Lars Christensen, Tauson started working with Elsvad, a former hitting partner. The dynamic seems to be working wonders. Under his guidance, she’s refined her backhand, a shot she once considered a weakness.
Danish tennis journalist Kresten Gravesen even noted, “It’s like they put magic into her backhand—she’s hitting it with a lot more confidence.”
With her movement sharper, her mindset steadier, and her game more refined, Tauson is finally living up to the hype that surrounded her as a teen prodigy.
A Future Star? The Best Is Yet to Come
Denmark loves an underdog story, and Tauson’s resurgence has captured the nation’s imagination. While fellow Dane Holger Rune struggles with consistency, Tauson is rising fast, and some believe she could break into the top 10 by the end of 2025.
For now, her focus remains simple: stay healthy, keep winning, and prove that her time is now. And with each powerful serve and gutsy victory, Tauson is showing the world that greatness doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through resilience, belief, and the fire to fight back.
Get ready, tennis fans. Clara Tauson is just getting started!
