Aryna Sabalenka’s exceptional performance throughout 2024 has earned her the prestigious WTA Player of the Year award for the first time. The Belarusian star dominated the tennis season, claiming two Grand Slam titles and securing the year-end world No. 1 ranking.
Sabalenka kicked off the year by successfully defending her Australian Open title, then went on to clinch her third Grand Slam victory at the U.S. Open in September. This victory propelled her past Iga Swiatek to the top of the rankings. She added two more titles to her impressive season, triumphing in Cincinnati and Wuhan, concluding 2024 with four tournament wins.
The season also celebrated other standout players. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, winners of Olympic gold in doubles at the Paris Games, were named the WTA’s Doubles Team of the Year. Meanwhile, Emma Navarro was honored as the Most Improved Player. Navarro, who ended 2023 ranked 38th, surged into the top 10 by September, capturing her first title in Hobart and reaching six semi-finals, including a strong run at the U.S. Open.
New Zealand’s Lulu Sun received the Newcomer of the Year award after a breakthrough season highlighted by a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon. Starting the year ranked outside the top 200, Sun’s impressive rise saw her end 2024 as the world No. 40.
Paula Badosa’s remarkable return to form earned her the Comeback Player of the Year title. The Spaniard, sidelined for much of 2023 with a back injury, returned in style, winning the Washington Open and reaching the U.S. Open quarter-finals, matching her best Grand Slam result. She finished the year ranked 12th, cementing her place among the sport’s elite once again.
