Elise Mertens has once again proven why she stands among tennis’s elite doubles players. The 29-year-old Belgian star captured her fifth Grand Slam doubles title on Sunday, July 13, 2025, partnering with Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova to win the Wimbledon women’s doubles championship. Their dramatic 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Su-Wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko showcased the resilience and skill that have defined Mertens’ remarkable career.
A Championship Performance on Centre Court
The Wimbledon triumph represents another milestone in Elise Mertens’ exceptional doubles career. Playing alongside Kudermetova for the first time at Wimbledon, the eighth-seeded pair faced a challenging start against fourth seeds Hsieh and Ostapenko. After dropping the opening set 6-3, many might have counted them out, but Mertens drew on her vast experience to help orchestrate a stunning comeback.
“It’s been incredible,” an emotional Mertens said after the victory, tears streaming down her face. The championship marked Kudermetova’s first Grand Slam title, while for Mertens, it represented her second Wimbledon doubles crown, having previously won at the All England Club in 2021 with Hsieh as her partner.
The match reached its decisive moment in the third set when the Belgian-Russian pair found themselves trailing 4-2. However, their superior court positioning and tactical awareness allowed them to win the final four games, with Kudermetova sealing the victory with a perfectly placed backhand winner.
The Journey to Tennis Stardom
Born on November 17, 1995, in Leuven, Belgium, Elise Mertens began her tennis journey at just four years old, inspired by her older sister Lauren. Her family background reflects Belgium’s diverse cultural landscape – her father Guido crafts furniture for churches, while her mother Liliane worked as a school teacher. This stable foundation provided the support structure needed for her eventual rise to tennis stardom.
Mertens’ linguistic abilities set her apart early on, becoming fluent in French, English, and Flemish Dutch. Her parents made the strategic decision to homeschool both daughters, allowing Elise to focus on tennis development while maintaining her academic studies. This decision proved prescient as she progressed through Belgium’s tennis development system.
Her professional journey began in earnest at the Kim Clijsters Academy, where she continues to train today. The academy, named after Belgium’s former world No. 1, has become a breeding ground for Belgian tennis talent, with Mertens serving as its most successful graduate in recent years.
Grand Slam Excellence in Doubles
Elise Mertens has built her reputation primarily through doubles excellence, accumulating five Grand Slam titles that showcase her versatility and partnership skills. Her first major breakthrough came at the 2019 US Open, where she partnered with Aryna Sabalenka to claim the title. This victory established her as a force in women’s doubles and set the stage for future success.
The partnership with Sabalenka proved particularly fruitful, as they added the 2021 Australian Open title to their collection. However, Mertens demonstrated her adaptability by subsequently forming a successful partnership with Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh. Together, they captured the 2021 Wimbledon title and the 2024 Australian Open championship, cementing Mertens’ status as one of the premier doubles players of her generation.
Her latest triumph with Kudermetova brings her Grand Slam doubles tally to five titles, spanning victories at three of the four major tournaments. This achievement places her among an exclusive group of players who have mastered the doubles format across different surfaces and playing conditions.
Current Ranking and Career Statistics
As of July 2025, Elise Mertens holds the world No. 26 ranking in singles and continues to maintain her position among the top doubles players globally. Her career statistics reflect remarkable consistency and longevity at the highest level of professional tennis. With over $16.5 million in career prize money, she ranks 35th on the all-time WTA earnings list.
Her 2025 season has been particularly successful in doubles, with the Wimbledon victory serving as the highlight of a campaign that has seen her reach multiple semifinals and finals. In singles, she maintains a respectable 19-9 record for the year, demonstrating her continued competitiveness across both disciplines.
The Belgian has won nine WTA singles titles and 21 doubles titles throughout her career, including her five Grand Slam doubles victories. Her consistency is perhaps best illustrated by her appearance in 67.9% of matches won this year, maintaining an average level of performance that has characterized her entire professional career.
Personal Life and Relationships
Elise Mertens currently enjoys a relationship with Christopher Heyman, a fellow Belgian tennis player who serves dual roles as both her romantic partner and coach. This professional-personal partnership represents a continuation of a pattern in her career, as she previously dated Robbe Ceyssens, who also served as her coach during the early stages of her professional development.
Heyman brings significant tennis credentials to their partnership, having competed professionally himself before transitioning into coaching. His understanding of the game’s technical and mental demands has proven valuable in helping Mertens maintain her high performance level as she approaches her thirties.
The couple maintains a relatively private profile, with Mertens preferring to keep personal matters away from media scrutiny. This approach allows her to focus on tennis while maintaining healthy boundaries between her professional and personal life.
Training and Professional Setup
Elise Mertens continues to base her training at the Kim Clijsters Academy in Belgium, working with a team that includes Christopher Heyman and Alexander Kneepkens. The academy’s facilities and coaching philosophy have proven instrumental in developing Belgian tennis talent, with Mertens serving as its flagship success story.
Her training regimen emphasizes technical precision and tactical awareness, particularly in doubles play where court positioning and partnership communication are crucial. The academy’s focus on developing well-rounded players has served Mertens well, allowing her to compete effectively in both singles and doubles throughout her career.
The consistency of her training environment has provided stability throughout various coaching changes, ensuring that her fundamental technique and fitness levels remain at elite standards. This approach has contributed to her remarkable longevity and sustained success at the highest levels of professional tennis.
Financial Success and Endorsements
With career earnings exceeding $16.5 million, Elise Mertens has achieved significant financial success through her tennis career. Her estimated net worth of approximately $10 million reflects not only prize money earnings but also endorsement deals with major brands including Lotto, Tecnifibre, and Van Lanschot.
Her marketability stems from her success on court combined with her multilingual abilities and professional demeanor. Belgian sponsors particularly value her role as the country’s premier tennis representative, while international brands appreciate her global recognition and positive image.
The Wimbledon victory added $467,993 to her career earnings as the doubles runner-up (the champions received $922,420), demonstrating that success in doubles competition can provide substantial financial rewards alongside the prestige of Grand Slam titles.
Impact on Belgian Tennis
Elise Mertens has become the face of Belgian tennis following in the footsteps of legends Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin. Her success has inspired a new generation of Belgian players and helped maintain the country’s reputation as a tennis development hub. The Kim Clijsters Academy, where she trains, has benefited from her success in attracting international talent.
Her achievement of reaching world No. 1 in doubles rankings in May 2021 made her only the third Belgian player to achieve this feat, following Clijsters’ example. This accomplishment brought significant media attention to Belgian tennis and helped secure continued investment in the country’s tennis infrastructure.
Her charitable work includes supporting efforts to protect gorilla populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrating her commitment to causes beyond tennis. This humanitarian involvement has enhanced her reputation both within Belgium and internationally.
Recent Tournament Success
Beyond her Wimbledon triumph, Elise Mertens has enjoyed a productive 2025 season with strong performances across multiple tournaments. She reached the fourth round in singles at Wimbledon before her doubles success, demonstrating her continued competitiveness in both disciplines.
Her victory at the Libema Open earlier in the season provided momentum heading into Wimbledon, marking her second WTA title of 2025. This consistency across different tournaments and surfaces has been a hallmark of her career, with her ability to perform under pressure in big moments consistently delivering results.
The combination of singles and doubles success makes her one of the most complete players on the WTA tour, capable of contributing to team competitions and individual tournaments with equal effectiveness.
Looking Ahead: Future Goals
At 29, Elise Mertens remains focused on adding to her Grand Slam collection and potentially achieving the career Grand Slam in doubles. Having won titles at the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon, only the French Open remains missing from her doubles resume, representing a clear goal for future seasons.
Her partnership with Kudermetova appears promising following their Wimbledon success, suggesting they may continue playing together in upcoming tournaments. The chemistry they displayed in their comeback victory demonstrates the potential for future Grand Slam success.
In singles, Mertens continues to compete at a high level with aspirations of improving her career-high ranking of No. 12. Her experience and tactical knowledge provide advantages that can compensate for any physical limitations as she navigates the later stages of her career.
The Complete Champion
Elise Mertens represents the modern professional tennis player: technically sound, tactically intelligent, and mentally resilient. Her ability to excel in both singles and doubles, combined with her professional approach and positive personality, has made her one of the most respected players on the WTA tour.
Her recent Wimbledon triumph with Kudermetova adds another chapter to a career already rich with achievement. The emotional celebration following their victory demonstrated how much these moments still mean to her, despite her extensive list of previous successes.
As she continues competing at the highest level, Mertens serves as an inspiration for young players worldwide, showing that success comes through dedication, professionalism, and the ability to form successful partnerships both on and off the court.
Legacy in the Making
Elise Mertens has already secured her place among tennis’s elite doubles players, but her story continues to unfold. Her five Grand Slam doubles titles place her among the most successful players of her generation, while her consistency and professionalism have earned universal respect within the tennis community.
The latest Wimbledon victory with Kudermetova demonstrates that she remains at the peak of her powers, capable of forming new partnerships and achieving success with different playing styles. This adaptability has been crucial to her longevity and suggests she will remain a force in women’s doubles for years to come.
Her impact extends beyond statistics and trophies to encompass her role as an ambassador for Belgian tennis and women’s professional sports. As she continues pursuing additional Grand Slam titles and ranking achievements, Elise Mertens remains one of tennis’s most compelling success stories, proving that excellence comes through consistent effort, professional partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to improvement.
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