In 2024, Zheng Qinwen reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and secured a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, elevating her to a career-high ranking of No. 5 after the WTA Finals.
Jasmine Paolini made significant strides by winning her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and reaching finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, propelling her into the Top 5 and achieving a ranking of No. 4 by October.
Jessica Pegula broke her Grand Slam quarterfinal drought at the US Open, advancing to the final after defeating World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, despite facing early exits at the Australian Open and Wimbledon due to a rib injury.
Ons Jabeur experienced a challenging year marred by a shoulder injury, ending her season prematurely and falling to No. 42 in the rankings, but remains a strong contender if health permits.
Karolina Pliskova concluded 2024 ranked No. 41 after battling a foot injury, though she demonstrated resilience with an 11-match winning streak and a WTA title in Cluj-Napoca.
These players possess the necessary credentials, including Grand Slam final appearances, Top 5 rankings, and significant title wins, positioning them as potential first-time Grand Slam champions in the upcoming 2025 season.