The highest tennis gamers, and moments, of 2024

The 2024 tennis season is formally over, and what a 12 months it was on and off the courtroom. With the emergence of a brand new group of dominant superstars, the swan songs of others and numerous memorable moments and matches, it was really a season for the books.

However in a season chock filled with, effectively, all the pieces, who reigned supreme? ESPN’s Chris Evert, Chris Fowler, Brad Gilbert, Jason Goodall, Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs weighed in on who needs to be given the 12 months’s prime honors as ATP and WTA Gamers of the 12 months. 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 possibility to succeed in the No. 1.” And, because it seems, Alcaraz could not have been extra correct.

Sinner had a season few may even dream about. He gained his first main title on the Australian Open to begin the 12 months — 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 prime rating for the primary time in June and has but to relinquish it. At 12 months’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 ultimate at each the US Open and the ATP Finals, could not cover his admiration for Sinner simply moments after leaving the courtroom in Turin, Italy, earlier this month.

“Not solely is he one of the best participant on this planet, however he is enjoying at an especially excessive stage proper now,” Fritz stated.

Sinner was unstoppable on the courtroom, however he confronted a considerable distraction and subsequent scrutiny following two failed drug tests 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 “worried” whereas ready for the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company’s ultimate 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 biggest seasons in latest reminiscence with a 73-6 ultimate file, 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 stable, highly effective and mentally robust.” Goodall added that Sinner’s “consistency is exemplary, and his base stage of play is setting a brand new benchmark on the prime of the boys’s recreation.”

Sabalenka entered the brand new 12 months because the world No. 2, having briefly ascended to the highest spot for the primary time in her profession close to the top of the 2023 season.

However 2024 proved her No. 1 rating had been no fluke — and, to steal a basketball phrase, she was not at all a “one and carried out.”

The 26-year-old opened the season by changing into the primary girl in over a decade to efficiently defend her Australian Open title. And he or she did so in dominant vogue, 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, including the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov forward of the Miami Open and an harm that compelled her to withdraw from Wimbledon, Sabalenka rediscovered her kind within the second half of the season. She gained her third main title on the US Open — redeeming her disappointing 2023 loss within the ultimate — 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 attain her objective of being the year-end No. 1 thanks partially to her semifinal look on the WTA Finals. There are actually over 1,000 factors separating Sabalenka from Swiatek — and nearly 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 thought of Novak Djokovic not successful a Slam title — or any ATP title for that matter — would have appeared onerous to consider firstly of the 12 months.

However that is precisely what occurred.

And but, regardless of that stunning outcome, Djokovic nonetheless ended the 12 months having secured the one elusive piece of {hardware} he had been desperately looking for his total profession: an Olympic gold medal. And primarily based on how a lot he stated it meant to him, it might 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 ultimate, and simply weeks after present process surgical procedure for a torn medial meniscus, however extra centered than ever at attaining his Olympic dream. He had gained 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 certainly one of his “biggest priorities” for the 12 months.

After a powerful week — during which he even defeated longtime rival Rafael Nadal within the second spherical — Djokovic arrange a rematch with Alcaraz within the ultimate. 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 12 months. Regardless of Alcaraz’s pace and preventing spirit, Djokovic refused to lose. He wanted tiebreaks in each units however closed it out, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) to claim 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 courtroom with [the] Serbian flag elevating and singing [the] Serbian anthem and sporting 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 12 months: Jasmine Paolini

Coming 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 serious. 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 12 months makes. Paolini, now 28, had the most effective 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 12 months with a run to the Spherical of 16 on the Australian Open, and nearly instantly adopted it up with the largest 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 apart from Sabalenka to succeed in two main finals in 2024 — and made the doubles ultimate at Roland Garros as effectively 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 12 months as a career-high No. 4, and at No. 10 in doubles. And, if that wasn’t sufficient, Paolini helped lead her Italian crew to the Billie Jean King Cup victory simply final week. What a 12 months, certainly.

Honorable mentions: Taylor Fritz, Qinwen Zheng, Jack Draper

Whereas we usually would possibly award this to a doubles crew, we’re as an alternative opting to spotlight two doubles gamers that had sensational seasons with a number of companions.

After splitting with Barbora Krejcikova forward of the 12 months, Siniakova performed with numerous totally different teammates this season, lastly touchdown with American Taylor Townsend. Collectively, the pair gained Wimbledon and reached the ultimate on the WTA Finals. However attributable to an harm that compelled Townsend out of the French Open, Siniakova joined forces on the final minute with Coco Gauff and, effectively, they gained their first-ever event collectively at Roland Garros. And if that wasn’t sufficient, Siniakova additionally took house Olympic gold in combined doubles with Tomas Machac. She completed the 12 months because the World No. 1 in doubles for the fourth time in her profession.

Ebden gained the second main doubles title of his profession and first with Rohan Bopanna on the Australian Open to begin the season, and Ebden made his debut because the No. 1 doubles rating weeks later. Ebden and Bopanna additionally gained the 1000-level Miami Open in March and reached the semifinals on the French Open. Needing to search out an Australian to accomplice with on the Olympic Video games, Ebden chosen his pal John Peers 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 ultimate — Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka

Positive, there wasn’t a Slam title on the road however this showdown between the top-two ranked ladies for the 1000-level Madrid title additional established the duo’s rising rivalry — and was a thriller filled with drama, unbelievable factors and a compelling and fierce battle of wills.

A rematch of the 2023 ultimate, Swiatek — the undisputed queen of clay — wouldn’t settle for a similar outcome this time. However she would wish effectively over three hours and needed to save three match factors to do it. The outcome? A 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) Swiatek victory and a match we’re nonetheless speaking about to this present day.

Swiatek even thanked Sabalenka after the match.

“It is all the time a problem enjoying you,” she stated on courtroom. “Thanks for all the time 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 ultimate), Alcaraz vs. Sinner (Beijing ultimate), Paolini vs. Donna Vekic (Wimbledon semifinals), Djokovic vs. Lorenzo Musetti (French Open third spherical), Gauff vs. Zheng (WTA Finals ultimate)

After reaching the semifinals on the 2023 US Open, Muchova, who additionally reached the ultimate on the 2023 French Open, was sidelined from competitors attributable to a proper wrist harm. She underwent surgical procedure and in depth 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 bought 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 in opposition to Jessica Pegula, Muchova was unable to maintain her stage 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 through the match with a again harm. In August her rating had dropped out of the highest 50, however Muchova closes out the 12 months at No. 22.

Unsung hero: Dan Evans

Should you win a five-hour-and-35-minute match — clocking in because the longest in US Open historical past — as Evans did in opposition to Karen Khachanov within the first spherical in New York, you deserve some type 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 known as a fraction of the story for Evans this 12 months, because the 34-year-old Brit put friendship and nationwide delight earlier than his personal private achieve and profession with a really selfless act over the summer time. Having gained the 2023 Citi Open, Evans opted to skip the occasion — thus forfeiting the rating factors and dropping 110 spots — so as to play doubles alongside Andy Murray within the ultimate 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 needed (minus an Olympic medal in fact) and allowed tennis followers to understand one final run of Murray magic.

Fondest farewell: Rafael Nadal

In a 12 months during which tennis stated goodbye to Murray, in addition to different Slam champions like Angelique Kerber and Dominic Thiem, there nonetheless was nobody who obtained a bigger outpouring of assist for his ultimate match than Nadal. The 22-time main champion had introduced that the Davis Cup could be his ultimate occasion earlier than retirement, and people on web site, in addition to legends like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova made positive he felt all of the love.

Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4 in his singles match in Spain’s quarterfinal conflict in opposition to the Netherlands, after which wanted to attend and see if his teammates would be capable of extend his goodbye with a comeback victory. Nevertheless 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 group of over 11,000 with a heartfelt speech in Spanish.

“The best way I want to be remembered is [as] an excellent particular person from a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal stated. “Only a child that adopted their goals, labored as onerous as attainable to be the place I’m immediately. On the finish of the day, lots of people work onerous and check out their greatest each single day, however I’m certainly one of these which have been very fortunate to have the life I have been capable of reside and expertise due to tennis.”

Social media put up of the 12 months

Krejcikova gained 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 incessantly interacted with followers on X throughout her stint on the All England Membership with Q&A periods, clapped again in good vogue.

I gained 7 matches in a row. That is how. 🤗

— Barbora Krejcikova (@BKrejcikova) October 10, 2024

Honorable point out: Something from Casper Ruud.

Ones to observe in 2025

Taylor Fritz: The 27-year-old American reached the primary main ultimate of his profession on the US Open, made the title match on the ATP Finals, gained 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 12 months.

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 gained the WTA Finals crown, in addition to the 1000-level title in Beijing in October. Now ranked No. 3, the top-ranked American can have no scarcity of motivation in 2025 — and might be among the many favorites on the 12 months’s first main in Melbourne.

Alex de Minaur: It was a banner 12 months 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 seems to be 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 against 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 exhibiting at a Slam with a fourth-round run at Wimbledon and gained two 500-level titles (on clay and the onerous courtroom). An all-surface risk, count on Fils to interrupt by way of much more subsequent 12 months.

Emma Navarro: The previous NCAA champion proved she had what it takes to compete in opposition to one of the best on this planet with a really monster season. Navarro gained her first title at Hobart in January, after which went on to succeed in 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 crew. 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 gained the title on the U.S. Males’s Clay Courtroom Championships in April. His expertise is with out query and he stays one of many American males’s greatest hopes to cease the most important drought.

Zheng Qinwen: First main ultimate? Examine. Olympic gold? Performed. An 1000-level title at Wuhan? Yup. Ending the 12 months with a ultimate look on the WTA Finals? Certainly. Zheng did nearly all the pieces this 12 months — together with ending the season at a brand new career-high of No. 5 and becoming the first athlete to grace the cover of Vogue China. She’ll look to take it another step additional within the new 12 months.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek: Each had unbelievable 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.