Top 10 best tennis moments in 2024

The 2024 tennis season has proven to be an exhilarating and captivating year, both in competition and beyond. It has seen the rise of a new generation of talent alongside the farewell of seasoned players. The remarkable narratives and significant milestones have rendered this season one for the history books.

As we conclude yet another thrilling season, it is fitting to reflect on the most remarkable tennis moments of 2024. 

In this article, let’s look at the 10 best tennis moments in 2024, featuring extraordinary matches, remarkable comebacks, and surprising upsets.

Novak Djokovic’s tears of joy on winning the Olympic Gold

Novak Djokovic may have missed out on claiming a record 25th Grand Slam trophy despite having an opportunity to do so. The Serbian player reached the finals at Wimbledon, where he was defeated by a motivated Carlos Alcaraz, marking his second consecutive loss in the SW19 final.

One month later, Djokovic reversed the outcome against Alcaraz by triumphing over the young Spaniard in the finals of the Paris Olympics, thereby securing the prestigious gold medal. This decisive victory over Alcaraz served as retribution for the three-set defeat he experienced in the Wimbledon finals earlier in July. By competing for gold in Paris, Djokovic achieved the long-sought title of Olympic champion. At the age of 37, the former World No. 1 made history as the oldest man to win the gold medal in the Summer Games.

After the win, a tearful Djokovic, draped in the Serbian flag, called “winning the gold for Serbia the greatest achievement and highlight of his career.” 

Simona Halep returns to the WTA

Former WTA World No. 1 Simona Halep of Romania began her return to competitive tennis in March of this year. She was able to resume her tennis career promptly after her four-year suspension for anti-doping violations was shortened to nine months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Halep played in the Miami Open as a wildcard entrant, where she was defeated by Paula Badosa in a match that extended to three sets. Her latest appearance at the Hong Open WTA 250 event in October resulted in a loss to Yue Yuan from China, following her retirement at the Trophée Clarins in May and a second-round exit against Anna Blinkova in September during the Hong Kong 125 Open.

Although she has not found her rhythm this year, the Romanian player has received a wildcard entry for the Australian Open, which was set to mark the start of her 2025 season. Regrettably, the former World No. 1 will miss the first Grand Slam of the year due to ongoing discomfort in her knee and shoulder.

Andy Murray departs for retirement at Wimbledon 

The 2024 season marked the retirement of Scottish tennis icon Sir Andrew Barron Murray, concluding a remarkable 22-year career in the sport. Hailing from Dunblane, he achieved notable success by securing singles gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics, defeating Roger Federer in the final, and at the Rio 2016 Olympics, thereby becoming the first singles player in history to claim consecutive Olympic titles.

Murray also claimed three Grand Slam titles, including two at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. His first Grand Slam title was won at the 2012 US Open. These accomplishments took place during a period largely influenced by the dominance of the 'Big 3'—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Additionally, the Scotsman played a pivotal role in leading Team GB to victory in the 2015 Davis Cup.

On July 6, 2024, Andy Murray bid farewell to the sport he cherished while positioned on the iconic footbridge at Wimbledon. In honor of his contributions, the Dunblane Sports Club in Scotland has created a 20-foot mural to commemorate Andy Murray.

Carlos Alcaraz completes the Channel Slam

By winning the trophy at Roland Garros this season, Alcaraz positioned himself for athletic success. His successful defense of the 2023 Wimbledon title further solidified his legacy, as he achieved the remarkable feat of the Channel Slam—claiming victory at both the French Open and Wimbledon within the same calendar year.

Carlos Alcaraz has become the fourth male player since 1980 to secure consecutive titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon. The only other players to have achieved this remarkable milestone are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Notably, Alcaraz accomplished this feat by defeating Novak Djokovic in a four-set match. With his victory at Roland Garros earlier this month, Alcaraz has now claimed Grand Slam titles across all three surfaces.

Jannik Sinner winning the Australian Open title

Jannik Sinner's remarkable season is encapsulated by eight titles and an impressive Grand Slam win-loss record of 23-2. The Italian concluded the year with an overall record of 73 wins and 6 losses, including a notable 8-1 in finals. This was a year that few could have envisioned. Sinner commenced his season with exceptional momentum, securing victory at the Australian Open in his debut appearance.

Following his victory at the Australian Open, where he secured his first major title, he subsequently triumphed at the US Open and the ATP Finals, in addition to winning three titles at the Masters-1000 level. Sinner ended the year as the first Italian to achieve the rank of ATP World No. 1.

Jasmine Paolini bags biggest title of her career 

Seven years after her debut in the WTA main draw in 2017, Jasmine Paolini achieved the most significant milestone of her career by winning the WTA 1000 title in Dubai in 2024. The Italian player staged a remarkable comeback to overcome qualifier Anna Kalinskaya, with a final score of 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in the championship match. Prior to this victory, her last title was at the WTA 125 event held in Portoroz, Slovenia, in 2021.

After her victory in Dubai, Paolini ascended from the 26th position to achieve a career-best ranking of 4 by the conclusion of the season. The 28-year-old also reached consecutive finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, marking her inaugural entries into Grand Slam finals.

Qinwen Zheng becomes first Asian to win Olympic gold in tennis singles

Qinwen Zheng made history in 2024 as the first Chinese player, man or woman, to win an Olympic singles gold in tennis. Zheng overcame Donna Vekic in the women’s final soon after defeating reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals. Swiatek’s loss to Zheng in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, was her first at Roland Garros in three years.

Zheng reached Paris in an elevated state of confidence shortly after successfully defending her title at the Palermo Ladies Open. The athlete from China claimed the title of Queen of Paris with a decisive victory of 6-2, 6-3 against Vekic. Her first appearance in a Grand Slam final in Melbourne marked the beginning of her ascent, leading her to her current position as World No. 5 from Hubei Province.

The 22-year-old subsequently secured the Pan Pacific title in October, marking her second WTA title of the season, and advanced to the finals of the WTA Finals, achieving this milestone for the first time.

Iga Swiatek winning the French Open after surviving Naomi Osaka

Iga Swiatek pulled off a great escape against Naomi Osaka, narrowly avoiding elimination in the first round. Facing match point and the threat of an early exit at the 2024 French Open, Swiatek demonstrated resilience, ultimately securing victory with a score of 7-6(7-1), 1-6, 7-5. The Polish player, who has maintained an unbeaten record in the opening round at Roland Garros, showcased her determination in this challenging match.

Swiatek secured her third consecutive French Open title and her fourth in five years by decisively defeating first-time finalist Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-2, 6-1. This triumph in Paris marked Swiatek as only the third woman in the Open Era to claim three titles in succession at Roland Garros. She joins the ranks of Monica Seles (1990-92) and Justine Henin (2005-07), becoming the second player this century to accomplish this remarkable achievement.

Rafael Nadal’s final match at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal bowed out for the final time at Roland Garros, the same venue where he won 14 French Open titles. This moment marks just a segment of the extensive legacy that Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, leaves in the world of tennis. The Spaniard's record at Roland Garros stands at 112 wins and 4 losses, a feat unmatched by any other player in the history of the tournament.

Nadal made his final appearance in Paris in 2024, where he faced Alexander Zverev in the opening round and suffered a defeat, marking a subdued conclusion to one of tennis's most remarkable narratives. Mallorcan officially concluded his career in Malaga during the Davis Cup match against the Netherlands. The esteemed Spanish player exited the arena following a loss to Botic Van De Zandschulp in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup.

Nadal played a crucial role in Spain's triumph in four Davis Cup finals, with the latest victory occurring in 2019. Despite his utmost effort in his final competitive match, his 38-year-old feet were unable to achieve the victory he ardently sought.

Barbora Krejcikova dedicates Wimbledon title to late mentor, Jana Novotna

Three long years after Barbora Krejcikova won the French Open 2021, she bagged her second Grand Slam title in 2024 at Wimbledon. Krejcikova successfully reclaimed the Venus Rosewater dish for the Czech Republic by overcoming Jasmine Paolini in a three-set match. It is noteworthy that Marketa Vondrousova had claimed the trophy at SW19 in 2023.

Krejcikova paid tribute to her coach and mentor, Jana Novotna, who passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer. ‘I hope she would be proud,’ stated Krejcikova in the post-match press conference. Novotna claimed the title in 1998, having reached the championship match in both 1994 and 1997. Krejcikova becomes the fourth woman from the Czech Republic to achieve victory at Wimbledon.

Cover Credits - Tennis365