5 Underrated Female Athletes You Need to Know About Right Now
When you think of the greatest female athletes of all time, names like Simone Biles, Serena Williams, and Katie Ledecky likely come to mind. These icons have dominated headlines and redefined greatness in their respective sports. But beyond these legends, a new wave of female athletes is rising fast—and they deserve your attention.
Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or just getting into women’s sports, these underrated female athletes are making major moves in 2025. From tennis courts to skate parks, here are five breakout stars you need to follow right now.
Caty McNally – Tennis
If you're searching for the next American tennis comeback story, look no further than Caty McNally. At just 23 years old, McNally has already made her mark in doubles, including two US Open Finals appearances.
After climbing to a career-high singles ranking of 54 in 2023, an elbow injury forced her off the court for surgery. Many doubted her return—but this summer, she silenced critics by winning her second WTA 125 title at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport. With her powerful return to the tennis scene, McNally is one of the rising stars in women's tennis to keep your eye on.
Alicia Tournebize – Basketball
Alicia Tournebize is redefining what it means to be a young phenom in women's basketball. The French forward averaged 12.1 points and 8.9 rebounds during the U18 EuroBasket, but it was her in-game dunk that went viral—and made history.
At just 17 years old, she’s becoming known for her explosive athleticism, strength, and finishing ability. Her highlight reel is stacked, and many are already calling her one of the most promising young women in international basketball. If you want to witness the future of the sport, Tournebize is it.
Mia Fishel – Soccer
Mia Fishel performs her Big Fish celebration during Chelsea FC match (Alex Gallardo/AP Photo)
Mia Fishel took an unconventional path to stardom. Rather than staying in the U.S. after being drafted fifth overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, she opted to play in Mexico with Tigres UANL—and helped them secure a league title.
From there, she joined Chelsea FC and won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles, further proving her global impact. Now, after an ACL injury and recovery, Fishel is signed with Seattle Reign FC through 2029 in a record-breaking deal. Her return to the NWSL is highly anticipated, and fans will get to see her in action again on July 20 against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
Summer McIntosh – Swimming
Summer McIntosh with Olympic gold medals at Paris 2024 (Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP Photo)
At only 18 years old, Summer McIntosh has already shattered records and made Olympic history. The Canadian swimmer first turned heads at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when she broke her country’s 400m freestyle record. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and she walked away with three gold medals and one silver—more than any other Canadian athlete in a single Olympics.
She also became the first swimmer to defeat Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle since 2010, making headlines around the world. With the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on the horizon, McIntosh is poised to dominate the pool once again.
Arisa Trew – Skateboarding
Arisa Trew lands a 900 trick at X Games California 2024 (Chris Tedesco/X Games)
Arisa Trew is not just making history—she’s rewriting it. The 15-year-old Australian skateboarding prodigy made waves when she became the first woman to land a 720 in competition in 2023. A year later, she landed the first competitive 900 by a female skater, joining a club that includes Tony Hawk himself.
Then came the cherry on top: an Olympic gold medal in Paris, making her the youngest gold medalist in Australian history. Last week, she surpassed Fabiola da Silva’s record for most X Games gold medals by a woman. If you're into action sports or just love a trailblazing underdog, Trew is the skater to follow.
Why These Female Athletes Matter
Women are breaking records and challenging expectations in every corner of the sports world. These underrated female athletes may not always be front-page news (yet), but their achievements are shaping the future of athletics.
The rise of women’s sports is only getting stronger—and we’re here for it. Keep watching, keep supporting, and don’t sleep on these game-changers.