Aryna Sabalenka has capped off a remarkable 2024 season by being named the WTA Player of the Year for the first time in her career. The 26-year-old Belarusian delivered a season to remember, winning two Grand Slam titles and ending the year as the No. 1-ranked player in the world.

Sabalenka’s dominance began with a breakthrough victory at the Australian Open in January and was cemented with her triumph at the US Open in September. Adding two more titles to her resume, Sabalenka finished the season with an impressive 56-14 record and nearly $10 million USD in prize money. She dethroned Iga Swiatek from the top of the rankings in October, solidifying her status as the best player of the year.

“It’s been an unforgettable year,” Sabalenka said in a statement, reflecting on her accomplishments.

Other WTA Honorees

In addition to Sabalenka, the WTA recognized several standout players for their achievements in 2024:

• Most Improved Player: Emma Navarro
  Navarro, who broke into the WTA’s top 10 in September, had a breakout season that included her deepest Grand Slam run at the US Open. The 22-year-old American stunned defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round before falling to Sabalenka in the semifinals.
• Comeback Player of the Year: Paula Badosa
  After missing the latter half of 2023 due to a back injury, Spain’s Badosa made a strong return in 2024. She climbed back to No. 12 in the rankings, won the Washington Open, and matched her career-best Grand Slam performance by reaching the US Open quarterfinals.
• Newcomer of the Year: Lulu Sun
  New Zealand’s Lulu Sun enjoyed a meteoric rise, jumping from outside the top 200 to a career-high ranking of No. 39. Her season highlight was a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, where she made waves as a qualifier.
• Doubles Team of the Year: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
  The Italian duo earned doubles gold at the Paris Olympics, reached the French Open final, and played a pivotal role in Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup victory. Individually, Paolini also had an incredible season, finishing as a runner-up at both the French Open and Wimbledon in singles.

A Memorable Year for Women’s Tennis

The 2024 WTA season will be remembered for its incredible milestones, inspiring comebacks, and rising stars. With players like Sabalenka leading the way, the future of women’s tennis looks brighter than ever.