Let’s take a look back at the 2024 professional tennis season. Now that the holiday season is upon us, and the players are taking time to unwind, rejuvenate, and even propose (keep reading for the scoop!), we’re covering some of the 2024 ATP and WTA season highlights.
From the ATP side with stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to retirements from all-time greats like Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, there was unprecedented newsworthy coverage this year. On the WTA side, Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, and Jasmine Paolini stole the show. While many other players had brilliant performances and success at various professional tournaments, we wanted to highlight some of the most notable buzz around the court from our perspective.
Jasmine Paolini: The Breakthrough Star Who Captured Hearts
Jasmine Paolini became tennis’s most enchanting story of 2024, transcending the sport with her infectious smile and electrifying gameplay. The Italian player’s emergence was more than just a competitive breakthrough; she became a global phenomenon that captured the imagination of fans worldwide early in the year. Her athletic prowess and genuine personality made her a darling of the tennis circuit, attracting new fans and bringing a refreshing energy to women’s professional tennis. Paolini’s rise was unprecedented as she competed at the highest level of singles doubles, and helped her country, Italy, win the Billie Jean King Cup.
Year-End WTA Ranking: Singles 4. Doubles 4.
2024 Titles: Singles Titles 1 (Dubai Tennis Championships)
Aryna Sabalenka: Hard Court Domination and the Dethroning of Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2024 season was a masterclass in hard-court tennis and strategic ascendancy. Her relentless performance saw her climbing the ranks and creating quite a battle for the top, which had seen Iga Swiatek’s name for months. At one point, Swiatek seemed untouchable, and her dominance in women’s tennis appeared absolute. However, Sabalenka’s decisive game and tactical brilliance gradually eroded this perception, ultimately overtaking Swiatek in rankings and tournament victories. Her journey represented a compelling narrative of persistent challenge and ultimate triumph, creating an exciting and hard-fought narrative throughout the year.
Year-End WTA Ranking: 1
2024 Titles: Singles Titles 4 (Australian Open, US Open, Cincinnati Open, Wuhan Open)
Qinwen Zheng: The Disruptive Force
Qinwen Zheng captured the tennis world’s attention in the latter half of 2024 with a meteoric rise characterized by her calculated and professional approach. Her on-court performances demonstrated a strategic brilliance that set her apart. Some of her peers viewed her as too clinical off the court, treating tennis more like a corporate strategy than a passionate sport, making for more entertaining storylines. As the year concludes, the tennis world eagerly anticipates her 2025 season, wondering if she can maintain her momentum and prove her approach was more than a fleeting success.
Year-End WTA Ranking: 5
2024 Titles: Singles Titles 3 (Internazionali Femminili di Palermo, Pan Pacific Open, Summer Olympics)
Jannik Sinner: A Year of Unprecedented Triumph and Controversy
Despite facing significant challenges in 2024, Jannik Sinner emerged as the undisputed king of men’s tennis. Extraordinary achievements marked his remarkable season: winning two Grand Slams, securing the year-end world number-one ranking, and leading Italy to victory in the Davis Cup. However, the Italian’s stellar year was not without controversy, as an ongoing investigation into a potential drug test irregularity cast a shadow over his remarkable achievements. Although putting a damper on his accomplishments, his results are simply undisputed. Despite these challenges, Sinner’s performance demonstrated remarkable mental resilience, proving he could maintain exceptional form under intense scrutiny and pressure.
Year-End ATP Ranking: 1
2024 Titles: Singles Titles 8 (Australian Open, US Open, ATP Finals, Cincinnati Open, Halle Open, Miami Open, Rotterdam Open, Shanghai Masters)
Carlos Alcaraz: A Year of Contrasts
Carlos Alcaraz’s year was a rollercoaster of extraordinary peaks and unexpected valleys. When in form, he looked destined to be the generational talent who would rewrite tennis record books. His moments of brilliance suggested an athlete at the absolute pinnacle of his powers, capable of extraordinary, match-winning performances. However, the indoor season exposed vulnerabilities—persistent injuries and a noticeable dip in form challenged his seemingly unstoppable trajectory. The introduction of his compression arm sleeve in the spring symbolized this complex year, representing his physical challenges and his ongoing adaptation to the professional circuit. With Nadal competing for the final time of his career, many hope that Alcaraz can proudly carry the Spanish flag into the 2025 season.
Year-End ATP Ranking: 3
2024 Titles: Singles Titles 4 (French Open, Wimbledon, China Open, Indian Wells)
The Bittersweet Farewell: Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray
The 2024 season marked the poignant retirement of two titans of tennis: Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Their departures signaled the end of an era, closing chapters on careers that fundamentally transformed men’s tennis. Nadal, with his unprecedented clay court dominance and fierce competitive spirit, and Murray’s tactical brilliance and emotional intensity, left indelible marks on the sport. Their retirements were personal milestones and moments of collective reflection for tennis fans worldwide, commemorating careers that transcended mere athletic achievement and became cultural phenomena.
Engagements & I Do’s: Let’s Talk About ‘Love’
It wouldn’t be an off-season without several players tying the knot or proposing!
Once the racquets hit the bags after the final shots of the season, ATP and WTA players maximized their downtime with some of their most heartfelt moments of the year. Here’s a look at some of the players who are taking the next steps off the court:
- Madison Keys and Bjorn Fratangelo: After getting engaged in 2023, this star couple tied the knot in Charleston, surrounded by countless notable tennis guests who traded in their court shoes for dancing shoes for a special celebratory evening.
- Garbine Muguruza and Arthur Borges also celebrated with an intimate wedding ceremony in Spain in 2024. After about a one-year engagement, the couple toasted to forever amidst a stunning Spanish backdrop and surrounded by their closest friends and family.
- Casper Ruud, current No. 6 on the ATP Tour, and Maria Galligani started the ‘trend’ this off-season as they posted about ‘putting a ring on it’ with a lovely portrait photo.
- No. 29 Felix Auger-Aliassime and Nina Ghaibi said ‘yes’ to the next chapter and showcased their recent engagement with the social media world.
- No. 24 Alexei Popyrin and Amy Pederick followed suit, sharing their engagement post online with a stunning, tropical backdrop.
