Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic snubbed as Draper recognised in tennis awards

Posted by Admin December 8, 2024 Tennis

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Sinner and Sabalenka both won two Grand Slam titles in 2024 at the Australian Open and the US Open, and finished the season atop the rankings. The Italian blew his rivals out of the water in the male player of the year category, with 62 per cent of Express Sport readers voting for him.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed his best year ever, going 73-6 in matches, picking up eight titles and helping Italy retain their Davis Cup crowd. Meanwhile, Sabalenka earned 48 per cent of the vote after picking up four titles and returning to the top of the rankings.

They beat out the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini. But Alcaraz’s feat of winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back didn’t go unnoticed – 31 per cent of readers crowned his ‘Channel Slam’ the biggest achievement of the year.

He just pipped Djokovic to the post. The Serb won the one title that always evaded him, an Olympic gold medal, weeks after returning from meniscus surgery. But his accomplishment wasn’t good enough to outdo Alcaraz’s Channel Slam.

Paolini was named the joint-winner of the most improved category with Draper. She reached a career-high of No. 4 after winning her first WTA 1000 title and reaching two Major finals, previously never getting to the second week at a Slam.

The Italian also enjoyed success in doubles, winning Olympic gold with Sara Errani, and was part of her country’s winning Billie Jean King Cup squad. Draper also shot up the rankings after winning his first two titles in Stuttgart and Vienna, and his first Slam semi-final in New York.

Italian players proved popular, as Matteo Berrettini was crowned comeback player of the year. The former world No. 6 ended his 2023 season when he left the US Open court in a wheelchair. Since returning this year, he’s picked up three trophies and returned to the top 40.

But his victory came at the expense of Raducanu, who only came third in the comeback category. The Brit was ranked outside the top 300 when she returned from an eight-month injury layoff and has risen to No. 59.

Check out the full Express Sport reader-voted end-of-season tennis award winners below

ATP player of the year

WINNER: Jannik Sinner

Second place: Carlos Alcaraz

Third place: Novak Djokovic

Fourth place: Alexander Zverev

Fifth place: Taylor Fritz

Sixth place: Daniil Medvedev

WTA player of the year

WINNER: Aryna Sabalenka

Second place: Jasmine Paolini

Third place: Coco Gauff