The 2024 tennis year was one not to be forgotten. That's how Jannik started Sinner on his impressive rise to become world number one, Novak managed Djokovic to become Olympic champion for the first time in his career, and the Netherlands impressively advanced to the Davis Cup final. This, at a tournament where tennis not only said goodbye to Wesley Koolhof , but also to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. This year was once again a year of great events. Reason enough for Sjeng Sports to look back on an eventful 2024.
First Grand Slam title for Sinner
The start of 2024 was especially for Aryna Sabalenka and Sinner were successful. Sabalenka managed to defend her title at the Australian Open and win a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, while Sinner 's tournament victory was a first. The Italian fought back from a two-set deficit against Daniil in the final in Melbourne. Medvedev , and with that, Sinner's first Grand Slam victory was a reality. It proved to be a prelude to many more for Sinner : in June, he became world number one for the first time in his career, later won the US Open, and the ATP Finals in Turin were also won by the superstar from Italy.
Alcaraz also makes his presence felt
Speaking of super talents: 2024 was also a special year for Alcaraz . Especially in the summer, after winning the Indian Wells tournament, the Spaniard was in top form. He won both Roland Garros and Wimbledon and also reached the final of the Olympic Games in Paris, where he lost to Djokovic . While Alcaraz defended his Wimbledon title impressively, the winner of the women's tournament in London was perhaps a bit more surprising. The Czech Barbora Krejcikova – who had not yet achieved impressive results in 2024 – defeated Jasmine Paolini in the final to lift the trophy . Favorite Iga Swiatek , who won Roland Garros a few weeks earlier , dropped out of this tournament in the round of 16.
Gold for Zheng , Nadal announces his retirement
After a busy (and Olympic) summer of sport, in which Djokovic took gold in the men's event and Qinwen While Zheng won the women's Olympic title, the autumn was largely dominated by a man who had barely played. Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis and announced that the Davis Cup Finals , held in his native Spain, would be his last tournament. The Netherlands also qualified for this tournament in a group with Belgium, Brazil, and Italy and were drawn to play against Nadal's Spain. While all eyes were logically on Spain, which had Alcaraz in its lineup alongside Nadal, the Dutch team managed to spoil the Spanish party. After Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Nadal in the singles, he—along with Koolhof —secured a spot in the semifinals with a thrilling doubles victory, marking the end of Nadal's career.
Although the Spanish tennis legend's career was thus over, the Netherlands had the opportunity to show what they still had to offer in the semifinal against Germany. Van de Zandschulp won the first match of the day against Daniel Altmaier , after which Tallon Griekspoor also managed to win with a strong comeback against Jan-Lennard Struff . A doubles match was then unnecessary, and the Netherlands made history by reaching the Davis Cup final for the first time ever. However, defending champions Italy, whose ranks include world number one Sinner , proved too strong. The Italians won both singles matches, meaning the doubles match was no longer needed, and the match against Spain proved to be the final act of Koolhof 's career .
Big t itels for Sabalenka , Gauff and Italy
As mentioned, Sinner also won the US Open and the ATP Finals in the fall. At the women's tournament in New York, Sabalenka took victory , replacing the Belarusian Swiatek as world number one. However, she was unable to also claim the WTA Finals , which were won by the talented world number three Coco Gauff . The 20-year-old American defeated Jessica Pegula , Swiatek , and Sabalenka on her way to her title before facing Zheng in the final. It was a thrilling final, which Gauff ultimately decided in a three-set tiebreak . The Billie Jean King Cup – like the Davis Cup – was won by Italy, who defeated Slovakia in the final.
