Tennis News

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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Djokovic adds name to star-studded Doha field

Novak Djokovic has committed to the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the tournament announced on social media Wednesday.

The Doha tournament will be elevated from an ATP 250 to an ATP 500 event from 2025. Its field so far includes Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.

Djokovic, who won the Doha title in 2016 and 2017, will make his fifth appearance in Qatar and first since 2018. The Serbian holds a 15-2 tournament record.

The 37-year-old, No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is one trophy shy of his 100th tour-level title. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open runs from 17-22 February.

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Kyrgios inching closer to Brisbane return

Nick Kyrgios is preparing for the Brisbane International presented by Evie, where he will compete in his first tournament in more than 18 months.

The ATP 250 event shared footage on social media of the 29-year-old practising in Brisbane Thursday.

Kyrgios reached the Wimbledon final in 2022 and played just one match the following year due to injury.

Making his third Brisbane appearance, the home favourite lifted the trophy in 2018. Kyrgios is a seven-time tour-level champion who has been as high as No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

The Brisbane International presented by Evie runs from 29 December – 5 January.

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Berrettini's bounceback earns him 2024 Comeback Player of the Year honours

Matteo Berrettini has been named Comeback Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards after returning from six months on the sidelines to win three tour-level trophies this season. The Italian’s peers selected him for the honour after he rose from a low of No. 154 back into the Top 40 of the PIF ATP Rankings.

“I’m just so happy to win the Comeback Player of the Year award,” Berrettini said in a message to fans. “Thank you very much for the support. It was a great season, a great effort for me and my team. Obviously so happy for the results that we achieved and I cannot wait to step on the court in 2025 to get more success. 

“Thanks again for your support. Without you guys, the fans, it wouldn’t be possible.”

After an injury-riddled 2023 season, which ended after the US Open due to a ruptured ankle ligament, Berrettini was set to return at the 2024 Australian Open alongside new coach Francisco Roig. But on the eve of his opening match at the Melbourne major, he was forced to withdraw with a new foot injury.

He finally came back to competition in March, when he reached the final at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Phoenix in his first event back. After dropping a three-setter to Andy Murray in Miami, Berrettini re-announced himself on the ATP Tour by winning the ATP 250 in Marrakech.

The Italian’s progress was once again slowed by illness, but he returned from a two-month hiatus in style by reaching the Stuttgart final in June in his first event back. In July, he rattled off a 10-match win streak to claim back-to-back titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel. His three clay-court titles this season brought his tour-level trophy count up to 10.

“When you’re not able to do your job and what you like to do, then it’s always a struggle. So I’m really appreciating every moment that I have to spend on court, to perform and give my best,” he told the press at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. “I know it’s a process. I did a great job this year to build up again my ranking, and I’m feeling good.”

Berrettini finished the season with a 32-12 record and closed his campaign by helping Italy retain its Davis Cup title, notching crucial singles wins in the final two rounds.

Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori were also nominated for Comeback Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. Nominees are determined by an International Tennis Writers’ Association (ITWA) vote, with the winner selected by players from the shortlist.

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Berrettini named PIF’s new tennis ambassador

Matteo Berrettini will represent Public Investment Fund (PIF) as its new tennis ambassador, both parties announced on Monday.

The Italian star will aim to support PIF’s mission of elevating the game, nurturing young talent and creating opportunities at all levels.

“I think it’s something that goes beyond tennis and not just my tennis career, but makes tennis and other sports bigger and better and more accessible to all the people around the world,” the 28-year-old said in an Instagram video.

“As a PIF ambassador, one of my roles is to inspire the next generation, the youth, the kids. Together with PIF, I’m going to be able to do that and this is one of the greatest things that I can do.”

Berrettini, 28, is a 10-time tour-level titlist. This season alone, he earned three titles, lifting trophies in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbühel. Berrettini was named the 2024 ATP Comeback Player of the Year. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist has been as high as No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Earlier this year, ATP and PIF unveiled a multi-year strategic partnership, signifying a shared commitment to enhance global tennis. The ATP partnership forms part of PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, investing in people, projects and partnerships with an emphasis on the brand’s four pillars: inclusivity, sustainability, youth and technology.

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Mpetshi Perricard named Most Improved Player of the Year in 2024 ATP Awards

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has been selected by his peers as the Most Improved Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. The 21-year-old Frenchman earned this honour after winning his first two tour-level titles this season and rising from outside the Top 200 to a career-high PIF ATP Ranking of No. 30.

“I’m very happy to win the Most Improved Player award,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “It was a good year for me and my team. Now we are looking [forward to] 2025.”

See you back on court soon 👋@MpetshiG | #ATPAwards 🥳 pic.twitter.com/SdcLtABDiN

— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 12, 2024

Having played just five tour-level matches prior to 2024, Mpetshi Perricard posted a 16-12 record this season. In his first ATP Tour main draw appearance of 2024, he completed a storybook run to the title in his hometown of Lyon.

As a wild card at the ATP 250, he saved a match point against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the final before winning a dramatic third-set tie-break for the trophy.

“It means a lot. A lot of dedication, a lot of hard training, a lot of questions about my game,” Mpetshi Perricard said after his victory. “But I’m very happy to win this one in Lyon especially, my hometown.”

A regular on the ATP Tour since that triumph, which earned him his Top 100 breakthrough in the PIF ATP Rankings, the big-serving Frenchman backed up his maiden title with a second trophy in Basel in October. Across his runs in Lyon and Basel, Mpetshi Perricard earned five Top 30 wins, including straight-sets victories against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Holger Rune and Ben Shelton at the Basel ATP 500.

Back on home soil at the Rolex Paris Masters, he beat Frances Tiafoe before closing the season at World No. 31 — 175 places higher than he started the year in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Jack Draper, Tomas Machac and Alejandro Tabilo were also nominated for Most Improved Player of the Year in the 2024 ATP Awards. Nominees are determined by an International Tennis Writers’ Association (ITWA) vote, with the winner selected by players from the shortlist.

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Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly star as the iconic double act

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy reunite for a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953

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Injured Draper cancels Alcaraz training week

British number one Jack Draper cancells a training week with Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz because of a hip injury.

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ATP Challenger Tour prize money soars to record $28.5m for 2025, rising 135% since 2022

The ATP has announced a record $28.5 million in ATP Challenger Tour prize money for the 2025 season – up $6.2 million year on year and 135 per cent since 2022. The increases are the result of major Challenger Tour reforms delivered under OneVision – ATP’s long-term strategic plan – to expand the number of players able to make a sustainable living from tennis.

A central driver of prize money increases has been the formation of Tennis Data Innovations (TDI) and the successful commercialisation of Challenger Tour rights. Calendar enhancements have helped drive growth, through the introduction of premium Challenger 175 events and a rise in the number of higher category Challenger 100 and 125 events.

Under OneVision, ATP has established a dedicated Challenger Tour team with new leadership to oversee growth and new revenue opportunities. Significant investment in marketing, headlined by the launch of the Challenger Tour’s ‘On The Rise’ brand campaign, has played an important role in enhancing the visibility and commercial appeal of the Tour.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Creating a sustainable player pathway to the ATP Tour is vital for the future of our sport. Since 2022, we’ve invested in significant reforms on the Challenger Tour. The results have been clear: record-breaking prize money, year on year increases and most importantly, more players inside the Top 250 provided with greater financial compensation at this level.”

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