The 2024 tennis season is formally over, and what a yr it was on and off the court docket. With the emergence of a brand new group of dominant superstars, the swan songs of others and numerous memorable moments and matches, it was actually a season for the books.
However in a season chock stuffed with, nicely, every thing, who reigned supreme? ESPN’s Chris Evert, Chris Fowler, Brad Gilbert, Jason Goodall, Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs weighed in on who ought to be given the yr’s high honors as ATP and WTA Gamers of the Yr. We additionally named a few of our different (maybe less-scientific) favorites from 2024.
On the 2023 ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz made a daring prediction and proclaimed Sinner would “attain No. 1 in 2024 or he will give himself the prospect to achieve the No. 1.” And, because it seems, Alcaraz could not have been extra correct.
Sinner had a season few may even dream about. He received his first main title on the Australian Open to start out the yr — after which went on to say the trophies on the US Open, the ATP Finals and 5 different occasions, together with three on the Masters 1000-level. Sinner took over the world’s high rating for the primary time in June and has but to relinquish it. At yr’s finish, he holds practically a 4,000-point lead over second-ranked Alexander Zverev and the remainder of the pack.
Taylor Fritz, who misplaced to Sinner within the remaining at each the US Open and the ATP Finals, could not cover his admiration for Sinner simply moments after leaving the court docket in Turin, Italy, earlier this month.
“Not solely is he the very best participant on the planet, however he is enjoying at an especially excessive degree proper now,” Fritz stated.
Sinner was unstoppable on the court docket, however he confronted a considerable distraction and subsequent scrutiny following two failed drug checks for an anabolic steroid in March. Whereas the general public was not made conscious of the discovering till shortly earlier than the US Open in August, Sinner was provisionally suspended throughout an attraction course of, and he admitted he had been “fearful” whereas ready for the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company’s remaining ruling. He was finally decided to be not at fault and was not banned from competitors. He went on to finish arguably one of many best seasons in current reminiscence with a 73-6 remaining document, capping it by main Italy to a second consecutive Davis Cup title this month.
Sinner was the unanimous choice by ESPN’s voting committee for this honor. Evert recommended him for being “so strong, highly effective and mentally robust.” Goodall added that Sinner’s “consistency is exemplary, and his base degree of play is setting a brand new benchmark on the high of the lads’s recreation.”
Sabalenka entered the brand new yr because the world No. 2, having briefly ascended to the highest spot for the primary time in her profession close to the tip of the 2023 season.
However 2024 proved her No. 1 rating had been no fluke — and, to steal a basketball phrase, she was under no circumstances a “one and accomplished.”
The 26-year-old opened the season by turning into the primary girl in over a decade to efficiently defend her Australian Open title. And she or he did so in dominant style, as she did not drop a set all through the fortnight and held off a slew of formidable opponents.
Whereas the subsequent a number of months had been difficult, together with the dying of her former companion Konstantin Koltsov forward of the Miami Open and an damage that pressured her to withdraw from Wimbledon, Sabalenka rediscovered her type within the second half of the season. She received her third main title on the US Open — redeeming her disappointing 2023 loss within the remaining — and the trophies on the 1000-level tournaments in Cincinnati and Wuhan.
Sabalenka reclaimed the world No. 1 rating in October, taking it again from Iga Swiatek, who had held all of it season, and managed to realize her aim of being the year-end No. 1 thanks partly to her semifinal look on the WTA Finals. There at the moment are over 1,000 factors separating Sabalenka from Swiatek — and virtually 3,000 factors between her and the remainder of the WTA.
Evert expressed her admiration for Sabalenka’s addition of “calmness and emotional safety” to her recreation when explaining her vote, and Goodall cited Sabalenka’s consistency, in addition to her energy and improved selection.
“She is the present queen,” Goodall stated.
Like Sinner, Sabalenka was a unanimous alternative from our consultants for the award.
And another notables …
After incomes three main trophies and the ATP Finals crown in 2023, the concept of Novak Djokovic not successful a Slam title — or any ATP title for that matter — would have appeared onerous to imagine firstly of the yr.
However that is precisely what occurred.
And but, regardless of that shocking consequence, Djokovic nonetheless ended the yr having secured the one elusive piece of {hardware} he had been desperately in search of his complete profession: an Olympic gold medal. And based mostly on how a lot he stated it meant to him, it may need been all he wanted to contemplate the season successful.
Djokovic arrived in Paris in July for the Video games shortly after dropping to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon remaining, and simply weeks after present process surgical procedure for a torn medial meniscus, however extra targeted than ever at reaching his Olympic dream. He had received the bronze in 2008 however had did not medal in his different three appearances. Previous to the Video games, he had referred to as returning to the rostrum considered one of his “best priorities” for the yr.
After a formidable week — during which he even defeated longtime rival Rafael Nadal within the second spherical — Djokovic arrange a rematch with Alcaraz within the remaining. In entrance of a packed crowd with divided, however equally vocal, loyalties, the 2 battled in a conflict that was a contender for match of the yr. Regardless of Alcaraz’s velocity and preventing spirit, Djokovic refused to lose. He wanted tiebreaks in each units however closed it out, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) to say Olympic gold. And whereas the match itself was epic, it was Djokovic’s emotional and tearful response after successful that followers possible greatest bear in mind all these months later.
“Being on that court docket with [the] Serbian flag elevating and singing [the] Serbian anthem and carrying the gold [medal] round my neck, I feel nothing can beat that by way of skilled sport,” Djokovic stated later.
A lifelong dream realized. 🥹
Novak Djokovic is overcome by emotion after successful his first Olympic gold medal. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/g7GI6cxmYa
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
Breakthrough participant of the yr: Jasmine Paolini
Getting into 2024, Paolini was ranked No. 30, one spot behind her career-high mark, and had by no means superior past the second spherical at a significant. She hadn’t fared significantly better in doubles both, beginning the season ranked at No. 97 and having reached a Slam third spherical simply as soon as.
However what a distinction a yr makes. Paolini, now 28, had among the best seasons on tour and went from an occasional contender at 250-level occasions to a formidable foe at each event she performed.
She opened the yr with a run to the Spherical of 16 on the Australian Open, and virtually instantly adopted it up with the most important title of her profession on the 1000-level Dubai in February. From there, she was an sudden finalist at each the French Open and Wimbledon — the one girl aside from Sabalenka to achieve two main finals in 2024 — and made the doubles remaining at Roland Garros as nicely with Sara Errani. Paolini and Errani then went on to say Olympic doubles gold in Paris.
On the year-end WTA Finals, Paolini was the one girl who certified in each singles and doubles. Whereas she did not make it out of the group stage in both draw, she completed the yr as a career-high No. 4, and at No. 10 in doubles. And, if that wasn’t sufficient, Paolini helped lead her Italian workforce to the Billie Jean King Cup victory simply final week. What a yr, certainly.
Honorable mentions: Taylor Fritz, Qinwen Zheng, Jack Draper
Whereas we usually may award this to a doubles workforce, we’re as a substitute opting to focus on two doubles gamers that had sensational seasons with a number of companions.
After splitting with Barbora Krejcikova forward of the yr, Siniakova performed with a variety of totally different teammates this season, lastly touchdown with American Taylor Townsend. Collectively, the pair received Wimbledon and reached the ultimate on the WTA Finals. However resulting from an damage that pressured Townsend out of the French Open, Siniakova joined forces on the final minute with Coco Gauff and, nicely, they received their first-ever event collectively at Roland Garros. And if that wasn’t sufficient, Siniakova additionally took dwelling Olympic gold in combined doubles with Tomas Machac. She completed the yr because the World No. 1 in doubles for the fourth time in her profession.
Ebden received the second main doubles title of his profession and first with Rohan Bopanna on the Australian Open to start out the season, and Ebden made his debut because the No. 1 doubles rating weeks later. Ebden and Bopanna additionally received the 1000-level Miami Open in March and reached the semifinals on the French Open. Needing to search out an Australian to companion with on the Olympic Video games, Ebden chosen his pal John Friends and the 2 emerged victorious in a star-studded discipline to convey Australia its first gold medal in tennis in 28 years. Ebden later referred to as their triumph “greater than a dream.”
Finest match: Madrid remaining — Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka
Positive, there wasn’t a Slam title on the road however this showdown between the top-two ranked girls for the 1000-level Madrid title additional established the duo’s rising rivalry — and was a thriller stuffed with drama, unimaginable factors and a compelling and fierce battle of wills.
A rematch of the 2023 remaining, Swiatek — the undisputed queen of clay — wouldn’t settle for a similar consequence this time. However she would wish nicely over three hours and needed to save three match factors to do it. The consequence? A 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) Swiatek victory and a match we’re nonetheless speaking about to today.
Swiatek even thanked Sabalenka after the match.
“It is at all times a problem enjoying you,” she stated on court docket. “Thanks for at all times motivating me and forcing me to be a greater participant.”
Honorable mentions: Swiatek vs. Naomi Osaka (French Open second spherical), Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedev (Australian Open remaining), Alcaraz vs. Sinner (Beijing remaining), Paolini vs. Donna Vekic (Wimbledon semifinals), Djokovic vs. Lorenzo Musetti (French Open third spherical), Gauff vs. Zheng (WTA Finals remaining)
After reaching the semifinals on the 2023 US Open, Muchova, who additionally reached the ultimate on the 2023 French Open, was sidelined from competitors resulting from a proper wrist damage. She underwent surgical procedure and intensive rehabilitation and was out of motion for 10 months.
However in simply her third event again in July, she reached the ultimate at Palermo. And on the US Open, which acquired underway solely two months after her return, Muchova was as harmful as ever and she or he defeated big-name opponents together with Osaka, Paolini and Beatriz Haddad Maia to make it again to the semifinals.
After taking the primary set of the semifinal 6-1 in simply 28 minutes towards Jessica Pegula, Muchova was unable to maintain her degree and misplaced the match, however the run (and the unbelievable level under) proved she was again.
KAROLINA MUCHOVA WITH THE SHOT OF THE YEAR!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GnSqWWwbxn
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
Within the two occasions Muchova performed after the US Open, she reached the ultimate on the China Open and the semifinals at Ningbo earlier than having to retire in the course of the match with a again damage. In August her rating had dropped out of the highest 50, however Muchova closes out the yr at No. 22.
Unsung hero: Dan Evans
For those who win a five-hour-and-35-minute match — clocking in because the longest in US Open historical past — as Evans did towards Karen Khachanov within the first spherical in New York, you deserve some form of recognition, and that is a part of the rationale why we’re saluting Evans on this year-end tribute.
However that marathon victory is mostly a fraction of the story for Evans this yr, because the 34-year-old Brit put friendship and nationwide pleasure earlier than his personal private acquire and profession with a very selfless act over the summer time. Having received the 2023 Citi Open, Evans opted to skip the occasion — thus forfeiting the rating factors and dropping 110 spots — as a way to play doubles alongside Andy Murray within the remaining occasion of Murray’s profession on the Olympics.
Collectively in Paris, the pair fought onerous, miraculously staving off a complete of seven match factors all through the week, to advance to the quarterfinals. They had been finally defeated by Fritz and Tommy Paul however by enjoying, Evans allowed Murray to have the farewell he had wished (minus an Olympic medal after all) and allowed tennis followers to understand one final run of Murray magic.
Fondest farewell: Rafael Nadal
In a yr during which tennis stated goodbye to Murray, in addition to different Slam champions like Angelique Kerber and Dominic Thiem, there nonetheless was nobody who acquired a bigger outpouring of assist for his remaining match than Nadal. The 22-time main champion had introduced that the Davis Cup could be his remaining occasion earlier than retirement, and people on website, in addition to legends like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova made certain he felt all the love.
Nadal misplaced to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4 in his singles match in Spain’s quarterfinal conflict towards the Netherlands, after which wanted to attend and see if his teammates would have the ability to extend his goodbye with a comeback victory. However it was to not be — Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers misplaced the deciding match in doubles, and Nadal’s profession formally got here to an finish. He was then honored with a postmatch ceremony from the event organizers, which included a video tribute that includes Murray, Djokovic, Federer and Williams, and others across the sports activities world. Nadal spoke to the gang of over 11,000 with a heartfelt speech in Spanish.
“The best way I want to be remembered is [as] a very good particular person from a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal stated. “Only a child that adopted their desires, labored as onerous as attainable to be the place I’m at present. On the finish of the day, lots of people work onerous and take a look at their greatest each single day, however I’m considered one of these which were very fortunate to have the life I have been capable of dwell and expertise due to tennis.”
Social media submit of the yr
Krejcikova received the second main singles title of her profession with an astounding run at Wimbledon in July. After all, that did not cease the haters on social media however Krejcikova, who continuously interacted with followers on X throughout her stint on the All England Membership with Q&A periods, clapped again in good style.
I received 7 matches in a row. That is how. 🤗
— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) October 10, 2024
Honorable point out: Something from Casper Ruud.
Ones to look at in 2025
Taylor Fritz: The 27-year-old American reached the primary main remaining of his profession on the US Open, made the title match on the ATP Finals, received two 250-level titles, nabbed an Olympic bronze medal in doubles and ended the season ranked a career-high of No. 4. He’ll undoubtedly be bringing confidence and momentum into the brand new yr.
Coco Gauff: Whereas she did not win one other main in 2023, maybe nobody had a stronger latter a part of the season than the 20-year-old. Gauff received the WTA Finals crown, in addition to the 1000-level title in Beijing in October. Now ranked No. 3, the top-ranked American could have no scarcity of motivation in 2025 — and will probably be among the many favorites on the yr’s first main in Melbourne.
Alex de Minaur: It was a banner yr for the 25-year-old Australian. He defeated then-world No. 1 Djokovic to open the season, cracked the highest 10 for the primary time in February, reached three consecutive main quarterfinals on the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open — matching his earlier career-best at a Slam — and performed in three ATP finals, successful two of them. To say he is on the upswing could be an understatement and he appears poised for much more success subsequent season.
Naomi Osaka: The four-time main champion returned to competitors firstly of the 2024 season following maternity depart. And whereas she did not instantly obtain her former glory, she confirmed flashes of promise (See: her French Open match towards Swiatek.) Now with a full season beneath her belt, Osaka is working with Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Might 2025 be the season the place she formally reemerges as a Slam contender?
Arthur Fils: The 20-year-old Frenchman had his best-ever displaying at a Slam with a fourth-round run at Wimbledon and received two 500-level titles (on clay and the onerous court docket). An all-surface risk, count on Fils to interrupt by means of much more subsequent yr.
Emma Navarro: The previous NCAA champion proved she had what it takes to compete towards the very best on the planet with a very monster season. Navarro received her first title at Hobart in January, after which went on to achieve the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the semifinals on the US Open behind an upset victory over Gauff, the defending champion and crowd favourite, within the quarters. To not point out, the 23-year-old American additionally cracked the highest 10 and made her first Olympic workforce. Can she do much more than that in 2025? We’ll simply have to attend and see.
Ben Shelton: One other former NCAA champion, Shelton did not repeat his US Open semifinal run from 2023 however he reached the third spherical or higher at each Slam and received the title on the U.S. Males’s Clay Court docket Championships in April. His expertise is with out query and he stays one of many American males’s greatest hopes to cease the main drought.
Zheng Qinwen: First main remaining? Verify. Olympic gold? Completed. An 1000-level title at Wuhan? Yup. Ending the yr with a remaining look on the WTA Finals? Certainly. Zheng did nearly every thing this yr — together with ending the season at a brand new career-high of No. 5 and turning into the primary athlete to grace the quilt of Vogue China. She’ll look to take it yet another step additional within the new yr.
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek: Each had unimaginable 2024 seasons, with Alcaraz successful two main titles, Olympic silver and two different ATP occasions, and Swiatek successful her fourth French Open title in addition to Olympic bronze and 4 WTA 1000-level tournaments. And but it nonetheless appears like this pair of younger superstars may do much more in 2025.
