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Dimitrov wins 2024 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award

Grigor Dimitrov has been selected by fellow players as the winner of the 2024 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award. Part of the ATP Awards, the honour recognises the Bulgarian’s fair play, professionalism and integrity on and off the court.

“I’m just very grateful, very thankful to all my fans, to all my colleagues, to everyone that has been such a support throughout all this time. I feel very fortunate,” Dimitrov said. “Thank you all for this amazing appreciation, and I’ll make sure to keep on going and to keep on striving to be the best.” 

A special message from your 2024 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award winner! 👏 @GrigorDimitrov | #ATPAwards pic.twitter.com/enFspzli9S

— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 13, 2024

Dimitrov is the third consecutive first-time winner of the Sportsmanship Award, following Casper Ruud (2022) and Carlos Alcaraz (2023). From 2004-21, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were the only winners, with Federer honoured 13 times and Nadal tabbed on five occasions. Edberg won the award five times between 1988 and 1995, with the honour named after the Swede from 1996.

During the 2024 season, Dimitrov posted a 46-18 record according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index and won his ninth tour-level title in Brisbane. The 33-year-old reached three additional finals, at the Miami ATP Masters 1000 and in Marseille and Stockholm. He also advanced to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, the US Open and the Rolex Paris Masters.

Dimitrov finished the year at No. 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings, his best year-end ranking since he closed the 2017 season at a career high of World No. 3.

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Sinner repeats as fans’ favourite; Berrettini, Dimitrov & Thiem among 2024 ATP Awards winners

Jannik Sinner won Fans’ Favourite for the second straight year, while also earning ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours in the 2024 ATP Awards.

It was a fitting way to cap a historic season that saw the 23-year-old claim a Tour-best eight singles titles (including his first two Grand Slams, three ATP Masters 1000s, and the Nitto ATP Finals), help his countrymen successfully defend their Davis Cup title, and become the first Italian No. 1 in the annals of the PIF ATP Rankings.

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Runners-up at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, first-time partners Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori of Italy took home the Fans’ Favourite Award in the doubles category.

The 2024 ATP Awards also honoured the tandem of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, who received their trophy in Turin as the Year-End ATP Doubles No. 1 presented by PIF. The first-year pairing accounted for four doubles titles, their biggest coming on clay at Roland Garros.

Matteo Berrettini was named Comeback Player of the Year after overcoming a series of injuries to collect three titles and climb back into the Top 40, while 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, the youngest member of the year-end Top 50, won Newcomer of the Year.

Proving he belongs at the elite level, Most Improved Player of the Year winner Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard earned five Top 30 wins across title runs in Lyon and Basel, rising 175 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 30.

After putting an end to a seven-year title drought and returning to the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time since 2018, Grigor Dimitrov was selected by his fellow players as the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, recognising fair play, professionalism and integrity on and off the court.

Michael Russell took Coach of the Year honours in a vote of his contemporaries after guiding Taylor Fritz to a 53-23 season and a career-best No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Fritz won two titles this year and also reached the championship match at the Nitto ATP Finals and US Open.

Dominic Thiem received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in recognition of his commitment to sustainability and environmental issues, with a particular focus on ocean conservation. The 2020 US Open titlist and former World No. 3, who headed into retirement after playing his final match at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, has long supported such non-profit organisations as 4Ocean, SeaLegacy and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (ATP Masters 1000), the cinch Championships at The Queen’s Club in London (ATP 500) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha (ATP 250) were voted by players as Tournament of the Year in their respective categories. The cinch Championships was also awarded special recognition for their Standards of Excellence, along with the Rolex Shanghai Masters and the Nordea Open in Bastad.

The Mexico City Open at Club Deportivo Chapultepec was named Tournament of the Year on the ATP Challenger Tour. Meanwhile, Joan Solsona of MARCA was the recipient of the Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award.

2024 ATP Awards Winners

ATP No. 1 presented by PIF
(determined by PIF ATP Rankings)
Fans’ Favourite Award (Singles)
(voted by fans)
Jannik Sinner: The first Italian No. 1 in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings, Jannik Sinner posted a remarkable 73-6 campaign during which he never lost a match in straight sets (Of those with a minimum of 20 matches played, only Roger Federer has matched that feat in the Open Era.). Sinner opened 2024 on a 16-match winning streak, a perfect stretch that included his maiden major trophy in Melbourne, where he became the first Italian in the Open Era to win the Australian Open singles title. In all, he would claim a Tour-best eight titles on the year, including his second major singles triumph at the US Open, three ATP Masters 1000s (Miami, Cincinnati, Shanghai) and the Nitto ATP Finals. He capped the year by leading a successful Davis Cup title defence for Italy.

ATP Doubles No. 1 presented by PIF
(determined by PIF ATP Rankings)
Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic: The first-year pairing of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic got out of the blocks in a hurry in 2024, winning its debut at the ATP 250 stop in Hong Kong. The banner result proved a foreshadowing of things to come, as the Salvadoran-Croatian duo went on to claim three more big-stage trophies, including Roland Garros and the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Arevalo/Pavic also reached the title match at the year-end Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

Comeback Player of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
Matteo Berrettini: After reaching a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2022, Matteo Berrettini experienced a series of injury setbacks. Falling as low as No. 154, he stepped back on the court in March at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Phoenix, where he reached the final. After dropping a three-setter to Andy Murray in Miami, Berrettini re-announced himself by winning Marrakech. That proved to be the first of three ATP 250 titles for the Italian on the year, with the 28-year-old backing it up with triumphs in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel to bring his tour-level singles trophy count up to 10. Berrettini closed out his 2024 campaign by helping Italy retain its Davis Cup title, notching crucial singles wins in the final two rounds. Two other former Top 10 players, Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori, were nominated in the Comeback category.

Most Improved Player of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: The 6-foot-8 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard opened the year outside the Top 200 in the PIF ATP Rankings, but climbed to a career-high No. 30 by November. He broke into the Top 100 in May after saving a championship point to capture his first ATP Tour title in his hometown of Lyon. At Wimbledon, he became the first lucky loser to reach the Round of 16 since 1995. The Frenchman continued his climb by clinching the ATP 500 crown at the Swiss Indoors Basel. Mpetshi Perricard remained unbroken all week and fired 109 aces in five matches. Jack Draper, Tomas Machac and Alejandro Tabilo were also nominated in this category.

Newcomer of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
Jakub Mensik: En route to his first ATP Tour final in Doha, Jakub Mensik dispatched Andy Murray, Andrey Rublev and Gael Monfils in succession. The 19-year-old Czech’s victory against Rublev made him the youngest player to earn a Top 5 win since Carlos Alcaraz beat Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 US Open. The run earned him his Top 100 breakthrough in the PIF ATP Rankings, and he continued his steady rise to finish the year inside the Top 50. Mensik achieved his best major result of the season by reaching the third round at the US Open. Shang Juncheng was also nominated in this category as a #NextGenATP player who entered the Top 100 for the first time in 2024.

Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award
(voted by ATP players)
Grigor Dimitrov: Grigor Dimitrov has been recognised by his fellow players for his fair play, professionalism and integrity both on and off the court. After opening his 2024 campaign with triumph in Brisbane to end a seven-year title drought, the former World No. 3 returned to the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings in April for the first time since 2018. The Bulgarian becomes only the third player not named Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to earn the distinction in two decades, joining Carlos Alcaraz (2023) and Casper Ruud (2022). Dominic Thiem and former Alcaraz and Ruud were also nominated in this category.

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award
(awarded by ATP)
Dominic Thiem: With his career-long commitment to sustainability and environmental issues — clean ocean initiatives at the forefront — Dominic Thiem has been named the 2024 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award recipient. He has long supported such non-profit organisations as 4Ocean, SeaLegacy and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Thiem joins the likes of John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer as winners of this award. The 31-year-old Austrian retired from professional tennis this past October, after 348 match wins, 17 singles titles (including the 2020 US Open) and a career-high No. 3 ranking.

Fans’ Favourite Award (Doubles)
(voted by fans)
Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori: The first-year pairing of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori claimed three titles (Buenos Aires, Halle, Beijing), reached Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and qualified for their maiden team appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Bolelli/Vavassori also accounted for the clincher in a 2-1 edging of Belgium during Italy’s run to a second straight Davis Cup title.

Coach of the Year
(voted by ATP coaches)
Michael Russell (Taylor Fritz): Former World No. 60 Michael Russell helped guide Taylor Fritz to his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, the championship match at the Nitto ATP Finals, and a pair of ATP 250 titles in Delray Beach and Eastbourne. After posting a 17-4 record at the Grand Slams, more than doubling his previous high for major wins in a year, Fritz finished the season at a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings – the highest year-end finish by an American since James Blake also finished No. 4 in 2006. Russell, who began working with Fritz in late 2021, was nominated in this category alongside Xavier Malisse (Alexei Popyrin), Emmanuel Planque (Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard), Brad Stine (Tommy Paul) and James Trotman (Jack Draper).

ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells): The BNP Paribas Open won in the ATP Masters 1000 category for a record-extending 10th year in a row. Held amidst the natural beauty and backdrop of the desert landscape, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers top-notch player facilities and amenities; plentiful practice courts that allow fans to watch players up close; and unparalleled dining options. In 2024, the tournament welcomed a record-breaking 493,440 fans across two weeks and awarded more than $19 million in total prize money, the largest purse in BNP Paribas Open history.

ATP 500 Tournament of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
cinch Championships (London): The cinch Championships at The Queen’s Club claimed honours at the ATP 500 level, winning for the sixth time. Also recognised in this category in 2015-16, 2018 and 2022-23, the tournament has thrived in its prestigious setting in West Kensington by consistently attracting some of the best singles and doubles players on the ATP Tour.

ATP 250 Tournament of the Year
(voted by ATP players)
Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Doha): The Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex, one of two ATP Tour events held in the Middle East, has been selected by the players as the ATP 250 Tournament of the Year for the sixth time (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021-22, 2024). Doha has set high standards since its inception in 1993 and under the guidance of former player Karim Alami, the tournament continues to build its reputation for its superb facility, world-class hospitality and welcoming fans.

ATP Challenger Tournament of the Year
(selected by ATP players)
Mexico City Open (Mexico City): Held at the Club Deportivo Chapultepec, often called Mexico’s ‘Cathedral of Tennis’, the Mexico City Open has become a beloved event for players to start the spring clay-court season. This year’s champion was Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante.

Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award
(awarded by ATP)
Joan Solsona: A longtime journalist with Spain’s daily sports newspaper MARCA, Joan Solsona has more than two decades’ worth of Grand Slams, ATP Masters 1000s, Nitto ATP Finals and Davis Cup ties to his credit. Solsona has also covered football, basketball, handball, swimming and water polo.

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Best of 2024 charity: Alcaraz, Rublev launch foundations

A number of ATP stars have dedicated time to charitable causes in 2024, combining their on-court success with efforts to give back. Players including Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Casper Ruud have not only focused on winning matches but also on raising funds for a variety of charitable organisations.

In March, Rublev launched the Andrey Rublev Foundation, aimed at supporting children with critical illnesses. The foundation’s mission is to fundraise and provide resources that help these children overcome challenges, empowering them to reach their full potential. Rublev’s clothing line, Play for the Kids, which he launched in December 2023, raised over $150,000 in its first months, serving as the foundation’s initial funding.

In April, Alcaraz followed suit, establishing the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation. Similar to Rublev’s foundation, Alcaraz’s initiative is focused on improving the lives of children in need. Based in El Palmar, the foundation is working to develop strong programs that offer support to children, while fostering networking opportunities and innovative solutions. One of the foundation’s early successes includes social sports initiatives that have already reached over 120 children, promoting equal opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

“I believe athletes are in a privileged position, and we have a responsibility to help those in need, especially by improving their childhoods,” Alcaraz said upon the foundation’s launch. “We are starting with small but meaningful steps to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Ruud, currently ranked No. 6 in the PIF ATP rankings, has been involved with the W Initiative, a humanitarian organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and young people from diverse backgrounds. As Global Ambassador since 2022, Ruud participated in the initiative’s annual tennis event in September, held in Oslo. The event raised a donation of 1 million NOK ($95,000 USD) for Furuset IF Tennis, an organisation whose work aligns with W Initiative’s mission of increasing opportunities for young people.

“I was already aware of the excellent sporting results here, but after today, I truly understand why,” Ruud said at the event. “The work they’re doing with children and youth is incredible.”

<img alt=”Casper Ruud” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/25/14/48/ruud-charity-september-2024.jpg” style=”width: 100%;” />
_{^{Photo Credit: Stian Engh}}

Hurkacz also donated €100 for each ace he hit between September and November to support victims of the devastating floods in Poland, while doubles specialist Marcus Daniell pledged 50 per cent of his 2024 prize money to charity. Daniell, the founder of High Impact Athletes, is committed to guiding athletes toward the most effective charitable causes.

This week, Dominic Thiem won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, reward for his ongoing climate and animal work.

For more on ATP players’ charitable work in 2024, featuring Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima, click here.

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Former champ Wawrinka among Australian Open wild cards

Three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka has received a wild card into the Australian Open, the tournament announced Thursday.

The 39-year-old is set to make his 19th appearance in Melbourne, where he won his first major title in 2014. Wawrinka boasts a 43-17 tournament record.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive a wild card into the Australian Open in 2025,” said the former World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Melbourne holds such a special place in my heart — it’s where I won my first Grand Slam, one of the greatest milestones of my career.

“The city, the people, the loud fans and the electric atmosphere make the Australian Open so special to me and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the court in Melbourne.”

Home hopes Tristan Schoolkate, Li Tu and James McCabe also received main draw wild cards. The 23-year-old Schoolkate reached the second round of this year’s US Open as a wild card. Tu advanced through Flushing Meadows qualifying and pushed Carlos Alcaraz to four sets in the opening round.

Tu and McCabe will make their second Australian Open main-draw appearance. Schoolkate will compete in the main draw for the first time.

The Australian Open runs from 12-26 January.

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Indian Wells, London-Queen's Club, Doha named 2024 ATP Tournaments of the Year

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the cinch Championships at the Queen’s Club in London and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha were voted by players as Tournament of the Year in their respective categories in the 2024 ATP Awards. All three events are repeat winners. 

The cinch Championships was also awarded special recognition for their Standards of Excellence, along with the Rolex Shanghai Masters and the Nordea Open in Bastad.

Indian Wells celebrates its 10th consecutive season as the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year. Held amidst the natural beauty and backdrop of the desert landscape, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers top-notch player facilities and amenities, plentiful practice courts that allow fans to watch players up close, and unparalleled dining options.

“We are honoured that for a remarkable 10 years in a row, ATP players have voted Indian Wells as the premier 1000-level event on Tour,” said Tournament Director Tommy Haas. “This unprecedented achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment to excellence of our tournament staff and volunteers, as well as the dedicated support of our owner Larry Ellison, our sponsors, our fans, and so many others who contribute to the success of our event.”

The 2024 BNP Paribas Open awarded more than $19 million in prize money and welcomed 493,440 fans across two weeks — both record numbers. This year also saw the debut of the BNP Paribas Open Mixed Doubles Invitational, marking the first time that an ATP Masters 1000 featured a mixed doubles competition.

Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final to retain the Indian Wells title, while Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic won the doubles crown.

The cinch Championships takes the ATP 500 Tournament of the Year honour for the third straight year and the sixth year overall (2015-16, 2018, 2022-24). Tommy Paul won the men’s singles title this year at the Queen’s Club in London, with Neal Skupski and Michael Venus lifting the men’s doubles trophy.

“We are very pleased to have been voted ATP 500 Tournament of the Year for the third successive year,” said managing director Chris Pollard. “In 2024, we welcomed Jamie Murray as tournament director, whose knowledge of the ATP Tour helped further enhance the experience for players. This award is recognition of the hard work that everyone delivering the tournament devotes to providing the highest quality player services, and the collaborative way in which the team works with the Queen’s Club, the ATP and all our sponsors and suppliers.

“We look forward to delivering new upgrades and innovations to the tournament in 2025.”

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open was named ATP 250 Tournament of the Year for the sixth time. Having also earned the honour in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022, the Doha event will operate as an ATP 500 from 2025. Karen Khachanov and the doubles duo of Murray and Venus claimed the Doha titles in 2024.

“We are delighted to have been awarded the title of the best tournament in the ATP 250 category for the sixth time,” said tournament director Karim Alami. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering a top-tier sporting experience for players and tennis fans alike.”

Alami also thanked the event’s title sponsor and shed light on the tournament’s future as an ATP 500: “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to ExxonMobil Qatar, our title sponsor, for their tremendous support over the years,” he said. “They have been a key partner in our journey toward excellence. I also want to deeply thank the players who have placed their trust in us once again by voting for us. Their support and appreciation for the tournament reflect its distinguished status in the world of tennis.

“With the tournament now upgraded to the ATP 500 category, we reaffirm our commitment to continuing our efforts to provide an exceptional experience and to making the tournament even more successful in the coming years. Our goal is to make it a preferred destination for the world’s best players and fans alike.”

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Mexico City Open named ATP Challenger Tour's Tournament of the Year

The Mexico City Open was named the ATP Challenger Tour’s Tournament of the Year on Friday.

Throughout the season, players were given the opportunity to evaluate and grade each tournament they compete in, based on various criteria. The Mexico City Open stood out in a year that featured 207 ATP Challenger Tour tournaments across 48 countries.

In its third edition, the Mexico City Open excelled in all areas, including tournament services, organisation and creative vision. Held at the Club Deportivo Chapultepec, often called Mexico’s ‘Cathedral of Tennis’, the Mexico City Open has become a beloved event for players to start the spring clay-court season.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team behind the Mexico City Open, the invaluable support of the Board of Directors of the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec, our sponsors, and the encouragement from the ATP Challenger team and our passionate tennis fans,” said Jorge Nicolin, Director of the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec.

“We at the Mexico City Open are deeply grateful for this recognition and remain inspired to continue striving for excellence. Thank you to the ATP for this incredible honour. We will continue working with the ATP Challenger team to grow the sport and provide opportunities for the players to showcase their talents.”

<img alt=”Mexico City Open” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/12/21/54/mexicocitych-2024.jpg” />
^{Credit: Mexico City Open}

Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante won this year’s edition of the ATP Challenger 125 event, going one step further than his runner-up finish in 2023.

For the second consecutive year, the ATP Challenger Tour’s Tournament of the Year has been awarded to an event in Mexico. In 2023, Leon claimed the honours.

Best of Europe & Africa
San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world, but the San Marino Tennis Open left a big impression on players. The ATP Challenger 125 event, won by Frenchman Alexandre Muller, was presented with the award for ‘Best of Europe & Africa’.

“It is a great honour and privilege for us to receive this recognition, especially because we are one of the smallest countries in Europe hosting a Challenger tournament among giants with great experience and tradition,” said Christian Forcellini, President of the San Marino Tennis Federation.

“Despite our small size, we have always strived to ensure significant organisational capabilities, both in terms of logistics and the attention given to the services provided to players and the entire entourage surrounding an international tournament. For our Federation, this award is an additional incentive to keep improving in the future.”

Best of Asia-Pacific
World-class tennis is brought to the island of Bahrain, thanks to the Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger, which won the award for ‘Best of Asia-Pacific’. Mikhail Kukushkin was crowned champion in Manama in February.

“We are proud and honoured to receive this award. We see this award as an important milestone in our journey of developing the sport of tennis in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said tournament director Mohammed Al Sayed. “A large organising team led by a vision of His Excellency the Minister of Interior, Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, spared no efforts in playing host to world-class athletes and officials in 2021-2024.

“We are grateful to the ATP for their continued trust and support and we are looking forward to a successful fourth edition of the event in February 2025.”

Best of South America
Challenger Bolivia, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, earned South America’s top honours for the second consecutive year. Santa Cruz de la Sierra hosted two tournaments in 2024. Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli won this season’s March edition while his countryman Juan Manuel Cerundolo claimed the title in June.

“Receiving this recognition as the Best Challenger of South America is an honour I share with everyone who has made it possible for the Challenger Bolivia to continue growing,” said tournament organiser Carolina Poehlmann. “I am deeply grateful to the players, to the ATP for its invaluable support, and to my outstanding tournament directors, Diego Manrique and Rolando Nieva — excellent professionals and even better individuals.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the Club de Tenis Santa Cruz and the Country Club Las Palmas for opening their doors to this kind of event, to our sponsors for their trust, to my family, and to God for the rewards and gratifications this challenge brings us. This achievement belongs to everyone.”

Did You Know?
Georgia, Rwanda and Congo made their Challenger debuts in 2024, with the cities of Kachreti, Kigali and Brazzaville hosting tournaments for the first time. In total, 94 different countries/territories have welcomed a Challenger tournament in the history of the circuit (since 1978).

Read ATPTour.com’s featured story; Rwanda Challenger reflects hope & healing of a nation.

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