Aryna Sabalenka named WTA Player of the Year

NEW DELHI: Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has earned her first WTA Player of the Year recognition, following her remarkable achievements of clinching two Grand Slam titles and achieving the year-end world number one position, as announced by the women's tennis governing body.
Her outstanding year began with a successful defence of her Australian Open championship in January, followed by claiming the U.S. Open title in September, marking her third Grand Slam victory. She subsequently surpassed Iga Swiatek to claim the top world ranking in October. Her impressive season also included victories in Cincinnati and Wuhan, totalling four tournament wins in 2024.

The international tennis press selected Italian Olympic champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini as the leading doubles partnership of the year, whilst American competitor Emma Navarro received recognition as the most improved player of the season.
Navarro, who concluded 2023 ranked 38th, advanced into the top 10 by September after securing her maiden title in Hobart and reaching six semi-finals throughout the season, including an impressive run at Flushing Meadows.

New Zealand's Lulu Sun secured the Newcomer of the Year accolade after her remarkable journey to the Wimbledon quarter-finals as a qualifier. This achievement contributed to her rise from outside the top 200 in January to reach the 40th position globally.
Spanish athlete Paula Badosa, previously ranked world number two, was recognised as Comeback Player of the Year. After an early conclusion to her 2023 campaign due to severe back issues that threatened her career, she returned triumphantly to secure the Washington title and reached the U.S. Open quarter-finals, concluding the year ranked 12th.