In a week of unpredictable weather and high-stakes competition, American tennis player McCartney Kessler carved her name into the headlines with a stunning title run at the 2025 Nottingham Open.
She defeated Ukrainian star Dayana Yastremska in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, to capture her third WTA singles title and her first-ever triumph on grass.
Kessler’s victory is notable not just for the silverware, but for the grit and consistency she displayed throughout the tournament.
After already shocking top seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the early rounds, and ending defending champion Katie Boulter’s 13-match winning streak in Nottingham, the American’s march to the final was nothing short of commanding.
Her serve held up under pressure, and her return game exposed weaknesses in opponents who had more experience on the surface.
In the final, she dominated early, taking the first set with confidence. The match was interrupted by rain at a crucial moment, just as McCartney Kessler was closing in on the first set, but she remained composed after the break. In the second set, Yastremska mounted a fierce fightback, saving five match points and pushing the American to dig deep.
But Kessler, undeterred, converted her sixth opportunity to seal the win in a contest that lasted just over an hour and a half, excluding delays.
The 24-year-old Floridian has now officially entered the conversation as one of the most promising players on tour, especially with Wimbledon on the horizon. Her performance in Nottingham was a statement, not just of potential, but of readiness. Grass, a surface unfamiliar to many rising players, now seems to suit McCartney Kessler just fine.
Her post-match comments reflected a quiet confidence. “I’m super excited to have another title and another great week of tennis for me,” she said. “Dayana’s a really tough competitor, and it was a good fight.”
This win pushes her ranking closer to the top 35 and boosts her chances of being seeded at Wimbledon, something she could not have imagined just weeks ago.
What’s Next for McCartney Kessler
With the grass-court major just days away, all eyes will now turn to how McCartney Kessler handles the Wimbledon spotlight. After her commanding performances in Nottingham, she is no longer flying under the radar. Players and pundits alike will be recalibrating their expectations of the American, particularly if she gets a favorable draw in the early rounds.
The key question will be how well her game translates to the longer, more physically demanding best-of-three format at a Grand Slam. Wimbledon’s courts are faster, the crowds more intense, and the stakes infinitely higher.
Based on her run in Nottingham, where she handled pressure, adapted to delays, and outplayed seasoned opponents, Kessler may very well be on the brink of a breakthrough moment on the biggest stage in tennis.
She will enter the tournament with confidence, form, and now a title that proves she can win on grass. That could make her one of the most intriguing names to watch when Wimbledon gets underway.
