Aryna Sabalenka has been honored as the WTA Player of the Year for the first time in her career, marking a significant milestone in her journey as a professional tennis player. The Belarusian star had an outstanding season, clinching two Grand Slam titles and ultimately securing the year-end No. 1 ranking, according to the Women's Tennis Association.
In January, Sabalenka successfully defended her title at the Australian Open, demonstrating her prowess on the court. Later, in September, she added the U.S. Open crown to her accolades, bringing her Grand Slam tally to three. This remarkable performance allowed her to leapfrog Iga Swiatek and ascend to the top of the world rankings just a month later.
Throughout the 2024 season, the 26-year-old competed in seven finals and emerged victorious in four tournaments. In addition to her Grand Slam successes, she triumphed at the WTA 1000 events in Cincinnati and Wuhan, solidifying her position as one of the top players in women's tennis. Sabalenka regained the PIF WTA World No. 1 ranking in October and concluded the season as the top player after qualifying for the WTA Finals for the fourth consecutive year.
The international tennis community also recognized outstanding achievements in doubles this year, voting for Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, the gold medalists from the Paris Olympics, as the top doubles team of the year. Meanwhile, American player Emma Navarro was celebrated as the most improved player of the season.
Navarro, who ended 2023 ranked 38th, made a remarkable leap into the top 10 by September, following her victory at her first title in Hobart and reaching six semifinal rounds, including a notable performance at the U.S. Open.
In the doubles category, the Italian duo of Errani and Paolini enjoyed a spectacular year. They claimed WTA 1000 titles at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome and the China Open in Beijing, in addition to winning the WTA 500 Upper Austria Ladies Linz. Their Grand Slam journey culminated in a final appearance at Roland Garros, and they celebrated their summer with a gold medal in doubles at the Paris Olympics. The team concluded their remarkable season by making their debut at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Further accolades included the Newcomer of the Year award, which went to Lulu Sun. The New Zealander made headlines with her impressive run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon as a qualifier, propelling her rank to 40th in the world after starting the year outside the top 200.
Additionally, former world No. 2 Paula Badosa was named Comeback Player of the Year. After an early end to her 2023 season due to a back injury, which raised concerns about her future in tennis, Badosa made a successful return. She won the title in Washington and equaled her best Grand Slam performance by reaching the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, finishing the year ranked 12th.
Overall, the 2024 season showcased exceptional talent and resilience among female athletes, with Sabalenka's achievements standing out as a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
Zainab Y.
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